Ditch fussy hydrangeas for 'extremely low-maintenance' plant that birds will adore
If you're sick and tired of trying to keep up with the whims of your hydrangeas, then consider switching them out for this sweetly scented shrub.
Hydrangeas are a hugely popular plant in gardens across the UK. Their huge, fluffy blooms look striking and make for a great border; however, they can be a little tricky to care for. Hydrangeas need a lot of water and pruning to keep them looking their best.
If you fancy a plant with just as much impact but less hassle, then there is one thing you should consider planting: Korean spice viburnums. Otherwise known as Viburnum carlesii, they are originally native to Korea and Japan but are widely available across the UK.
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They are known for their deliciously scented pale pink flowers that bloom in late spring through to early summer. These deciduous shrubs have copper coloured leaves and are very hardy.
They’re also great for attracting birds to your garden, as in the summer they fruit with pretty red oval berries which ripen to black.
To ensure these plants flourish in your garden, plant them in sun or part shade and don’t worry too much about the soil - viburnums love sandy, clay or loam-based soil. According to Homes and Gardens writer and qualified RHS horticulturist Francesca Clarke, these plants are "extremely low maintenance”.
She wrote: “Unlike hydrangeas, they respond well to hard pruning, which is best done in late spring, if you need to reduce their size significantly.”
To give your Korean spice shrubs the best chance of survival, keep them well watered in the first year of growth; once established, they are a little more drought-resistant.
According to Francesca, the low-maintenance nature of these shrubs is a plus, but the “real selling point” is their sweet scent. She describes it as “as powerful and intoxicating as any Daphne, but with an unexpected spicy clove edge.”
If you have a smaller garden, you can expect this delicious scent to travel across the space and waft into every corner.
