Guelder Rose Hedge Plants Description

This is a very attractive hedging plant with a story to its name; oddly it has nothing to do with roses and although a British native plant, it is also common across Europe with its name actually originating from the Dutch province of Guelderland.

The Guelder Rose has attractive fragrant, dense clusters of lacecap-like white flowers in June/July and in the autumn, its large leaved green foliage turns a fabulous red colour. The vibrant red berries that accompany the autumn colours on the leaves are slightly harmful to humans but relished by birds, in particular bullfinches and mistle thrushes. It's also wildlife friendly in other ways - there are 17 identified insect types associated with the Guelder Rose.

This species is considered self-pollinating so it should be ok as a single plant in a mixed hedge, but if possible, have more than one Guelder Rose so that you're certain of pollination to provide good fruiting. Combine Guelder Rose with a number of native species to create a mulitpurpose feature with an abundance of seasonal interest.

Guelder Rose is good on most soils (other than very acid), and it does like a fertile soil so add organic mulch annually if possible. It performs best in sunlight, it also does well in light shade. It is particularly good in moist ground and wont like a dry situation.

Additional flowering options can be found in our flowering hedge section where you can access heaps of flowers of diverse colours and shapes, and our hedging for exposed sites suggests those plants suited to seaside weather conditions.

Cell grown and pot grown plants are available all year round. Bare roots are only available from november to mid/late May, using cold stored plants towards the very end of the season. Read our blog on cold storage here..

Viburnum opulus is one of our UK native hedging species and can be found with a selection of other native species in our Native Garden Hedging Packs

Planting distances are very much a matter of choice - for bare roots, 3 plants per metre is adequate, 5 is good, 7 in a double staggered row will give a dense hedge quicker. Generally, smaller plants should be planted at higher density. Cell grown should be planted at 4 per metre in a single row or ideally 6 per metre in a staggered row.

For more information on planting distances please see our planting density advice section.

Viburnum opulus is one of a number of plants that produces flowers and berries on last year's stem growth. A healthy plant will produce new stem growth each year quite happily requiring little pruning and maintenance. Trimming however, is sometimes required to maintain or to improve the shape of your plant or hedge.

The ideal time to do this is after flowering in late spring. Ensure that any dead, diseased or broken branches. are removed as part of the process. In addition, to keep a good air circulation which helps to prevent disease, look for and trim out any overcrowded branches. Up to a third of the shrub can be trimmed out yearly if necessary without any negative impact.

Trimming flowering branches back at the tips will naturally impact on berry production that autumn, however the upside is that new growth will develop throughout the remainder of the year on which an abundance of flowers and berries will then be produced the following year.

For old, overgrown plants that have slowed in their flower production and have a leggy, woody appearance, regenerative pruning can be undertaken. This is where old wood is significantly cut back almost to the ground, with particular care taken to remove any weak or straggly branches. This allows the plant to re-establish itself with renewed vigor and growth in subsequent years to become a stunning specimen once again.

This type of hard pruning is best done later in the year but before winter so that some new growth can establish prior to the plant becoming dormant. This will ensure that it bounces back again the following spring.

Free delivery is available on all orders providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:


There are some exceptions to the standard delivery pricing structure, which relate to deliveries to more remote areas, overseas, or extremely tall plants requiring specialist delivery - for more information see the Delivery Information Page

It's Quick! - most orders are despatched within 3-5 working days!! (Some trees can be 7-10 days see product pages for info.)

Next Day Delivery is Available - We can offer next day delivery on eligible species and sizes for an additional £12 incl VAT. Call 01257 263 873 to find out if your order is eligible.

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Hedges Direct 12 Month Plant Guarantee

Our plants are guaranteed for 12 months after delivery subject to specific criteria. Visit our Hedges Direct Plant Guarantee Page for full details.