Snowball Viburnum - Evolving Beauty

Since Sun Valley grows flowers in many different micro-climates, we are able to bring several seasonal specialty crops to market each year.  Right now is Snowball Viburnum season, the snow balls of spring. 

These grow on our farm in Willow Creek, CA., about 40 miles as a very ambitious crow flies inland from the coast in Humboldt County.  To get there you drive up the twisty and turny Route 299, over both Lord Ellis Summit and Berry Summit, then dip down into the Trinity River valley to the small-town of Willow Creek, mostly known for Bigfoot sightings. Take a left at the gas station, go over the bridge, veer to the left, go to an unmarked gate just past the big madrone stand, get out of the truck, drag open the gate, and continue down a steep hill to a spectacular river over-look, right behind you are the viburnum hoop houses.

In the old days this was called the Gardner Ranch, and today it is home to not only our Viburnum, but Lane’s Ilex fields, a small vineyard, and our rosehips.

The challenge of a crop like Viburnum is that since it is grown in the mountains, there is a greater potential for big temperature swings. Some years, we may have snow the first week of April, others it may be in the high nineties.  If it is blazing hot, we need to harvest it all quickly, if it is colder, we can harvest more slowly. Either way, it is a short month long season, so we have to hustle!

Viburnum Ready to Harvest

There are many varieties of Viburnum, most are garden varieties, however, we grow Viburum opulus compactum which has been bred specifically as a cut flower.

Sometimes Latin names in the flower world will put you to sleep, but not in this case! The species name "opulus" is from the Latin "opulentus," which means "splendid" or "sumptuous" for the blooms appearance.  Any flower described as “sumptuous” is a winner in my book.

Often consumers think the white and green looks of viburnum are two different varieties, when in fact they are the same plant only in different stages of development. This is commonly referred to as “early season” (green) and “late season” (white).

French Tulip and Viburnum seasonal springtime pairing

Viburnum is very complimentary to other Sun Valley flowers, such as French Tulips, lilies and iris. Check out our Resource Page below featuring history and care and handling, and download it as a free High-Resolution PDF to share with your team and your customers.

We have plenty of viburnum ready today, so now is the time to add on some orders and share this seasonal delight before it’s gone.