VIBURNUM tinus 'Lucidum'

Vigorous, very resistant variety of Viburnum tinus, perennial and evergreen, with rapid growth and bushy, thick and compact habit, native to the Mediterranean basin: when fully developed it can grow 4 m tall and more than 2 m large. Branched and well lignified since at the base, it has reddish-brown bark stems with an initial erect course, but they soon spread outwards and are variously divided, thus giving the plant a regular, globular and expanded shape. The leaves, arranged opposite and with showy petiole, are large, leathery, glabrous, shiny, elliptical in shape with slightly crenate margins and acute apex, dark green, but especially in winter due to the cold, tinged with red. In late spring, abundant hemispherical inflorescences are formed from the apical parts of the branches composed of small white flowers with a five-lobed corolla, slightly perfumed: these are followed in autumn, and remain throughout the winter, spherical fruits of small dimensions.

Preferring sunny and bright locations, it only adapts to partial or total shade, especially in those areas where summer afternoons are hot. It shows no soil preferences, as long as it is permeable and well drained. It does not like the salinity of the sea winds, therefore in coastal areas place it in protected positions; it hardly bears drought, on the contrary it takes advantage of periodic summer watering. It withstands winter minimum temperatures even several degrees below zero. In spring at the vegetative restart it may be necessary to periodically intervene removing dry, broken, damaged or bulky parts, and shortening various branches even generously in order to allow a new more regular and dense growth. Perfect for large pots and containers on terraces and balconies, it requires a particular attention to summer watering which must be abundant; in the open ground it is used to create green barriers and tall hedges against noise, wind and the gaze of others, generally arranging several specimens in sequence or sometimes alternating it with other shrubs with contrasting foliage: do not forget its decorative value in every season of the year, with very little maintenance, when used alone, as a large bush, in flower beds or corners of the garden.