• Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum &
  • Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum &
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Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Kilimanjaro Sunrise'

Japanese Snowball 'Kilimandjaro Sunrise'

Sculptural beauty meets seasonal drama in Viburnum plicatum 'Kilimandjaro Sunrise'. With its distinctive tiered structure and soft-hued flowers that transition from creamy white to gentle pink, this deciduous shrub brings elegance and interest from spring through autumn. Whether you're framing a path, filling a focal border, or enhancing a wildlife-friendly space, its flowers, berries, and fiery autumn colour make it an unforgettable addition to your garden.

Supplied as an established plant in a 19cm pot

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Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum &
Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum &

Aspect

Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness

Fully hardy

Flowers

May, June

Soil

Moist, fertile, well-drained soil

About this plant

A wedding-cake shrub for every season

  • Description

    Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Kilimanjaro Sunrise' is a handsome deciduous shrub grown for its distinctive tiered, horizontally layered branches and its long run of seasonal interest. In late spring, flat, lacecap flowerheads line the branches, opening pure white and ageing to soft apple-blossom pink. These are followed by clusters of bright red berries that ripen to black and feed the birds, and often a lighter second flush of flowers in late summer. In autumn, the heart-shaped leaves turn fiery shades of orange and red. Compact and upright, it makes a superb specimen shrub for a border or lawn.

  • Why we like it

    “

    'Kilimanjaro Sunrise' earns its RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year reputation by doing something in almost every season. The elegant tiered branches carry white lacecap flowers that blush pink in spring, red-to-black berries for the birds in summer, a bonus second flush of flowers, and then a blaze of orange and red autumn foliage. It stays reasonably compact and upright, so it suits smaller gardens as a specimen or in a mixed border, and it is genuinely easy to grow.

Key features

What makes it special

Berries

Colourful foliage

Specs & details

The particulars

Botanical name
Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Kilimanjaro Sunrise'
Common name
Japanese Snowball 'Kilimandjaro Sunrise'
Supplied as
19cm pot
Flower colour
White
Eventual height
2.5-3m (up to 4m over many years)
Eventual spread
1.5-2m
Flowering period
May, June
Habit
Upright with layered, horizontal branches for a striking architectural form.
Life cycle
Deciduous shrub
Hardiness
Fully hardy
Aspect
Full sun to partial shade
Soil type
Moist, fertile, well-drained soil
Moisture
Moist but well-drained
Position
Specimen shrub, mixed border or lawn planting
Plant spacing
Usually grown as a specimen, allowing around 1.5 to 2m of space.
Growing skill
Easy to grow

Plant calendar

When to plant, when it performs

 
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Planting
Flowering

Plant in spring or autumn. Flowers in late spring, often with a lighter second flush in late summer, followed by berries and autumn leaf colour.

Planting & care

Help it thrive

Planting guide

Plant in moist, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Choose a sheltered spot away from harsh wind. Best planted in spring or autumn. Space well to allow the tiered branches to develop fully.

Care tips

Minimal pruning – just tidy after flowering. Mulch annually and water in dry periods. Remove any dead wood in late winter.

Winter care

Deciduous, so leaf drop is expected. Mulch around the base in autumn to protect roots and conserve moisture. Prune only to remove dead or crossing branches.