I always tend to be drawn to plants, shrubs and trees that add value. Plants that flower longer, have extended seasonal interest and which come and come again. At this dreary, dull, dank and gloomy time of year there is no better example of adding value than a Viburnum. We grow Viburnum Tinus around the garden as a backdrop to beds and borders, but we also grow it as standards. These lolly pops, dotted around the garden, are now bedecked with abundant clusters of deep pink buds opening to small starry white flowers. They are lovely and penetrate the dark days of winter.My favourite is 'Eve Price' whose flowers are followed by perfectly formed small dark blue berries. But the great value is that Viburnum Tinus looks good all year round as the leathery dark green leaves create a perfect hedge or standard which in turn provide punctuation marks and eye catchers around the garden throughout the year.
We have grown them in our old garden on heavy clay and north facing and now here at Ordnance House, chalky and sharp draining with a south facing aspect. They are terrific value and completely adaptable.
I have also been using the flowers to add interest to our Christmas wreaths as their delicacy sparkles alongside the berries of holly and other evergreens. There you go, the perfect gift for Christmas. A plant that is long lived, does well on all soils and all conditions. That's what I call adding value. Go buy one as a gift for someone this Christmas or why not treat yourself?
