Check if this name is still valid or a syn of Viburnum grandiflorum

Common Name:

General Information

Viburnum foetens is a deciduous shrub growing up to 3 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Asia - Himalayas of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Habitat

An undershrub of coniferous forests, it is also found in oak forests from 1500 - 3300 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Viburnum foetens is a very hardy plant, able to tolerate winter temperatures down to about -20°c. A winter-flowering plant, the flowers are not as hardy as the plant, but can still tolerate temperatures down to around -12°c[].
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but is ill-adapted for poor soils and for dry situations[]. It prefers a deep rich loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, ]. Best if given shade from the early morning sun in spring[]. Requires shelter from cold winds[].
Plants are hardy to about -20°c[].
A very ornamental plant[], it flowers in the winter and the flowers are said to withstand temperatures down to -12°c without damage[, ]. However fruit is not often produced in this country[]. This may be due to the plant being self-incompatible and so growing 2 or more different cultivars together may improve fruit set[, ]. Hand pollination may also be beneficial as well as siting the plants so that they get the maximum of protection from severe winter weather[]. A west-facing wall or woodland edge would be ideal for this[].
This species is closely allied to Viburnum grandiflorum and included in that species by many botanists[]. This species has a more westerly range, shorter stems and white flowers[].
The crushed leaves have a foetid aroma[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , ]. A sweetish flavour[], but the fruit is not freely borne in Britain[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Wood - hard, close grained[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Germination can be slow, sometimes taking more than 18 months. If the seed is harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it has fully ripened) and sown immediately in a cold frame, it should germinate in the spring[]. Stored seed will require 2 months warm then 3 months cold stratification and can still take 18 months to germinate[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame or greenhouse. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of soft-wood, early summer in a frame[]. Pot up into individual pots once they start to root and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8 cm long with a heel if possible, mid summer in a frame[, ]. Plant them into individual pots as soon as they start to root. These cuttings can be difficult to overwinter, it is best to keep them in a greenhouse or cold frame until the following spring before planting them out[].
Cuttings of mature wood, winter in a frame. They should root in early spring - pot them up when large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if sufficient new growth is made, otherwise keep them in a cold frame for the next winter and then plant them out in the spring.
Layering of current seasons growth in mid summer. Takes 15 months[].