Japanese snowball
ExplorePlants
Japanese snowball
Viburnum plicatum
The Japanese snowball is a beautiful shrub that blooms with fluffy white flowers in spring. Its round shape and bright green leaves make it a lovely addition to gardens and parks.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Japanese snowball has distinctive globe-shaped clusters of pure white, sterile flowers that resemble snowballs. Its deep green, heavily pleated leaves are arranged in an attractive tiered pattern, creating a beautiful display in late spring.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderDipsacalesFamilyViburnaceaeGenusViburnum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its 'snowball' flowers are mostly sterile, meaning they won't make seeds!
Some varieties of this plant have been grown in gardens for hundreds of years!
The scientific name, 'plicatum', means 'pleated' or 'folded', describing its interesting leaves.
These beautiful shrubs were first brought to Europe from Japan in the mid-1800s.
Special abilities
Ability
Pollinator Beacon
Japanese snowball has large, showy sterile flowers that act as a visual beacon, guiding insects to smaller fertile flowers for pollination.
Ability
Tiered Sun Catcher
Its branches grow in unique horizontal layers, maximizing exposure for all its leaves to capture sunlight efficiently.
Ability
Seed Dispersal by Birds
This plant can produce small, red berries that attract birds, helping to spread its seeds far and wide to new locations.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 150-300 cm
- Spread
- 150-300 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
honey bee
Apis mellifera
Gathers nectar and pollen from its flowers.
pollinates
common eastern bumble bee
Bombus impatiens
Visits flowers for nectar, helping with reproduction.
eaten by
American robin
Turdus migratorius
Eats the small, red berries produced by some varieties.
shelters
silky ant
Formica subsericea
Often finds refuge near the shrub's base and roots.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Cluster Flower
Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Fall Color
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always stay on paths when exploring gardens and don't pick flowers without permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Japanese snowball?
150-300 cm
How wide does Japanese snowball spread?
150-300 cm
How big are the flowers on Japanese snowball?
1-2.5 cm
When does Japanese snowball bloom?
Late spring to early summer
Is Japanese snowball edible?
No
Is Japanese snowball toxic?
None
What is Japanese snowball's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Japanese snowball pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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