Viburnum Tinus

• Native to the Mediterranean region, this hardy evergreen has adapted beautifully to Australian coastal and temperate climates. It's been a garden favourite for decades due to its reliability and low maintenance nature.
• Features glossy dark green oval leaves that provide year-round structure and small fragrant white flowers in dense clusters. The metallic blue berries that follow are loved by native birds.
• Grows as a dense rounded shrub reaching 2-4 metres tall and wide with a naturally neat habit. People love its versatility for hedging, screening, or as a standalone specimen plant.
• Extremely salt and wind tolerant making it perfect for coastal gardens where other plants fail. Also drought tolerant once established and deer resistant in rural areas.

• Water deeply once or twice weekly during establishment, then reduce to weekly in summer and fortnightly in winter. Check soil moisture 5cm down before watering.
• Plant in full sun to light shade with morning sun preferred in hot inland areas. Minimum 4-6 hours direct sunlight daily for best flowering.
• Use well-draining soil with added compost - tolerates clay, sand, and coastal conditions but avoid waterlogged sites. Mulch around base to retain moisture.
• Feed with slow-release native plant fertiliser in early spring, avoiding high phosphorus fertilisers. Additional feeding usually unnecessary in good soil.
• Prune lightly after flowering in late spring to maintain shape and size. Remove dead or crossing branches any time of year.
• No special humidity requirements - naturally adapts to local conditions from dry inland to humid coastal areas. Ensure good air circulation in dense plantings.
• Reduce watering in winter and increase in hot summer periods - watch for leaf drop which indicates water stress during heat waves.

• Provide full sun to partial shade for best flowering and compact growth - morning sun with afternoon shade works well in hot climates. Avoid deep shade which reduces flowering significantly.
• Water deeply but infrequently once established, allowing soil to dry between waterings. Increase watering during hot summer periods and reduce in winter.
• Tolerates humidity well but benefits from good air circulation to prevent fungal issues. Coastal conditions with sea breezes are ideal for healthy growth.
• Hardy to light frosts but protect young plants in their first winter. Established plants tolerate temperatures down to -5°C without damage.
• Prune immediately after flowering to maintain shape and encourage dense growth - avoid pruning in autumn as this removes flower buds for next season.

• Aphids can cluster on new growth causing leaf curling - spray with insecticidal soap or encourage natural predators like ladybirds. Check plants regularly during spring growth periods.
• Scale insects may appear as small brown bumps on stems and leaves - treat with horticultural oil or systemic insecticide. Remove heavily infested branches to prevent spread.
• Powdery mildew can develop in humid conditions with poor air circulation - improve spacing between plants and avoid overhead watering. Apply fungicide if severe.
• Root rot occurs from waterlogged soils especially in heavy clay - ensure good drainage and reduce watering frequency. Plant in raised beds if drainage is consistently poor.