Viburnum Tinus Purpureum

Viburnum Tinus Purpureum or Laurustinus Purpureum, is one of the most popular evergreens for UK gardens. Native to southern Europe and North Africa close to the Mediterranean, it has been grown in the UK since the 16^th century. The variety Purpureum has notable foliage colour. New foliage is purple bronze tinted, later turning green. This is a useful shrub for evergreen screening or hedging.

The polished leaves, about 10 cm long, are purple-bronze when young, turning green as they mature, but take on purple hues again in cold weather, accompanied by the red flower buds which form in autumn. The pale pink and white flowers of Laurustinus Purpureum open in clusters starting in mid-winter, continuing until mid-spring for a lovely early season show. They are followed by dark blue berries.

Height and Spread of Viburnum Tinus Purpureum
Viburnum Tinus Purpureum will grow to a mature height and spread of 3 metres in 10 to 20 years.

How Hardy Is Viburnum Tinus Purpureum?
Viburnum Tinus Purpureum is hardy in most parts of the UK, even in severe winters, but may not withstand very open or exposed sites.

How to Use Viburnum Tinus Purpureum
The dense growth of Viburnum Tinus Purpureum makes it an ideal hedging plant for year-round privacy, either in a single-species hedge or mixed in with other shrubs. It is a good container plant for roof terraces, courtyards, and patios, where it can be pruned to size or even shaped in a topiary form. In a mixed border or as a foundation planting, Laurustinus Purpureum will provide winter interest, and as it grows just as happily in shade as in sun, it can be used to fill in spots where fussier plants will not thrive!

How to Care for Viburnum Tinus Purpureum
Plant Viburnum Tinus Purpureum in full sun, partial shade, or full shade in a sheltered position with a south, east or west-facing aspect, in any moist but well-drained soil. This Mediterranean native shrub will thrive in coastal regions, as it has a high tolerance for salt, and will do equally well in city gardens, as it is tolerant of pollution. Deer and rabbit-resistant, Laurustinus Purpureum will not require special protection on country properties. Pruning is not necessary, but if you want to shape it or maintain a smaller size, prune immediately after the flowers have faded in spring.

Viburnum Tinus Purpureum is an excellent low-maintenance shrub which will provide year-round interest and will thrive in a wide range of growing conditions.  In addition to Viburnum Tinus shrubs for hedging we also have standard tree forms such as Viburnum Tinus Lucidum as Standard Trees and Viburnum Tinus Eve Price as half Standard Trees. More information on Viburnum on our blog.