Viburnum opulus

Viburnum opolus - Guelder-Rose

General:
The guelder-rose is widespread almost all over Europe and as far as Siberia. As a large shrub, it often grows together with other trees on the edge of the forest, as a hedge or bush. The guelder-rose is up to 4 meters high and usually just as wide.

Care as a bonsai:
The creation of a guelder-rose is certainly not that easy due to the relatively large leaves, flowers and sparse growth, but as a familiar and native plant species, it definitely deserves the effort. Especially because in nature it often grows inconspicuously in strips of wood and its beauty rarely comes into its own. For example, the leaves of the guelder-rose are very beautiful. They are almost maple-like lobes and also become relatively small when grown into bonsai. Already in late summer they turn slightly reddish and then in autumn they express the full blaze of colors from wine-red to orange-red. The guelder-rose grows relatively quickly. The shoots must therefore be cut back regularly. The growth is quite sparse and you should wire the young shoots early to get the plant into shape. The bark remains quite smooth even with age. The wire should therefore never grow into it. The roots grow fibrous and also very quickly. This means that the plant has to be repotted more often, but it also causes few problems. The guelder-rose still grows well in partial shade, but it prefers a light and airy location. The earth shouldn't dry out. The plant loves lime and can therefore also be watered with hard tap water.