British Native Trees
and Shrubs

Wayfaring-Tree Viburnum lantana (Caprifoliaceae)

The wayfaring-tree has an appealing softness, its twigs and buds felted with greyish hairs, the stems pliant and the underside of the rounded leaves covered by dense, white, silky hairs. A deciduous tree or small shrub, it grows to 6 m high, usually less, and has grey-brown bark marked with leaf scars on the older growth. The opposite pairs of thick, ovate, regularly-toothed leaves are opaque greyish-green, up to 12 cm long, and ridged on the upper surface. They take on deep plum colours in autumn. The loosely domed clusters of five-petalled, creamy-white flowers, up to 10 cm across, appear at the tips of branches in May and June. These are followed by clusters of shiny, slightly flattened egg-shaped or oval berries which from July to September ripen through red to black.

The wayfaring-tree is found in woodland, hedgerows and scrub, especially on calcareous soils, throughout the southern half of England north to Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

This is an attractive and easily maintained plant for any garden, providing colour and interest throughout the growing season. It can be used in the shrub border, the woodland corner or as a free-standing tree. It grows in sun or semi-shade in well-drained soils, preferably alkaline clays, and tolerates dry conditions but dislikes smoky atmospheres. The shrub is most easily propagated by gathering fruits as they turn black and stratifying them until late winter. Then sow in early spring in a cold frame, thin the seedlings and leave until autumn before setting out 30 cm apart. Grow on for one or two years before planting out in a permanent site. Cuttings with a heel may be taken in late summer and potted after rooting.

The ripe berries were once used to make ink and the very hard wood to make mouth-pieces for tobacco-pipes.

The nectar attracts pollinating hoverflies, and caterpillars of a species of tortricoid moth eat the leaves from June to August. The berries are relished by birds despite their sour smell.

Page last updated - January 10, 2002  

©2001-2002 Flora for Fauna