Viburnum Pragense

Viburnum 'Pragense', the Prague viburnum, is a horticultural variety born in the gardens of the eponymous city in 1955. This hybrid possesses the original evergreen foliage of its first parent, the wrinkled leaf viburnum, spring flowering of its second parent, the useful viburnum, and exhibits a curious, almost tabular habit. Its long, wavy, dark green and glossy leaves are velvety brown-gray underneath. They form a beautiful setting for its flowers that bloom in large flat corymbs adorned with pink buds opening into white-cream flowers. It is not difficult to grow in a sunny position, in ordinary soil, even limestone, but deep and moist. Easy-to-grow shrubs that blend well in loose hedges; by mixing different species or marrying them with other flowering shrubs, you will create a charming, evolving garden throughout the year.

Viburnum 'Pragense', awarded an Award of Garden Merit in England in 1993, belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. This evergreen viburnum with spring flowering is a beautiful and large shrub averaging 2 m 50 in all directions, with moderately fast growth. The upright, broad and bushy habit is however often a bit wider than tall. In the Prague viburnum, the branches are erect but the twigs are obliquely positioned. Over the years, the habit becomes looser, more open, and the twigs tend to droop. The leaves are entire, wavy, shiny green on top, fuzzy and matte underneath, elliptical, deeply veined, measuring 7 to 12 cm long. The flowering is a nice surprise in May-June: light pink buds appear clustered in flat, rounded cymes, 10 cm wide, at the ends of the twigs. They gradually open in May-June, into small white-cream flowers. This flowering is followed by the formation of small ovoid red fruits, turning black when ripe, which are a feast for birds. To achieve a beautiful fruiting, it is advisable to plant several plants.

Excellent shrub for a loose hedge, Viburnum 'Pragense' only requires a sunny exposure and a fairly deep and not too dry soil to thrive. It also makes a beautiful subject when planted as a backdrop. For example, associate it with Viburnum x bodnantense, deciduous, early flowering, with the very colourful Viburnum lantago in autumn, lilacs, Japanese quinces, Chinese almonds, Viburnum davidii, Rosa complicata, Cotoneaster lacteus ...