Guelder rose
Viburnum opulus
Also called Water elder and Snowball tree
Garden plant · ShrubsA native, and the berries hang translucent red right through the winter because birds leave them until almost everything else has gone.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 6 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Feed
- Every 45 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Hardy — a very cold winter RHS H6, to -20°C
- Size
- 6 m tall · 3 m across
- Lifecycle
- Shrub
- Origin
- Europe, north Africa and central Asia
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
PeopleHarmful if eaten
The fruit.
HandlingTake care handling it
RHS says to wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling it.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-11.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.