Viburnum Red Balloon®

VIRB Leatherleaf Viburnum

Note: This is an archive page preserved for informational use.
Cultural and Growing Info is provided below.


Birds Love the Berries
Viburnum Red Balloon offers year-round interest with its robust, leathery foliage, lacy clusters of creamy white flowers, and vibrant red berries. In spring, the flowers attract pollinators, adding life to your garden. As summer progresses, green fruits appear and gradually ripen to a vivid red, creating a striking display that persists into winter—even after the leaves have dropped. Although the fruit is not edible by humans, they provide an important food source for birds during the colder months. This shrub performs beautifully as a standalone specimen but produces even more abundant fruit when planted near another viburnum, such as V. Allegheny or V. Mohican. It's an excellent choice for hedges or privacy screens, offering visual appeal and environmental benefits in a low-maintenance package.

Minus icon Plant Type Shrubs

Minus icon Height Extra Tall 6-8'

Minus icon Spacing Plant 6-8' apart

Minus icon Bloom Time Mid-Spring to Late Spring

Minus icon Sun / Shade Full Sun to Half Sun / Half Shade

Minus icon Growing Zones 4-8

Minus icon Soil Type Normal, Clay, Sandy, Acidic

Minus icon Sold In Plantable Pots (3.5x3.5x4")

Special Product

Proven Winners

These varieties have been proven in trials around the world to be vigorous and easy to grow. Best of all, Proven Winners are known to be absolutely covered with vibrant, long-blooming flowers.

Special Features

  • Beneficial for Pollinators
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Deer Resistant
  • Winter Interest
  • Hot Dry Site Tolerant
  • Good for Hedge

Botanical Name

Viburnum x rhytidophylloides 'Red Balloon®' (PP24,227 'Redell')

Viburnum General Information

Viburnum are a diverse group of shrubs used widely in the garden or in foundation plantings. They offer a range of shapes, foliage colors, flower shapes and fruits that are especially desired by birds. Viburnum × rhytidophylloides thrives in most garden conditions, displaying attractive white flower clusters in spring and red berries in late summer. Its leathery, dark green foliage provides year-round interest, and its dense growth habit makes it excellent for hedges or privacy screens.

Viburnum Plant Care

When planting, choose a location with at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily. Viburnum × rhytidophylloides adapts well to both clay and sandy soils, though it performs best when organic matter is added. In clay soils, adding organic material improves drainage and prevents root problems. In sandy soils, organic matter helps retain moisture and nutrients. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds but keep it away from the trunk. Prune after flowering if needed to maintain shape or size. Plant in groups for optimum fruit production.

Minus icon All potted plant material is restricted from shipping to Idaho

Plantable Pots

Our plants are grown in 3.5x3.5x4” plantable pots. Made from 100% biodegradable coconut husk fibers (coir), these pots have tremendous advantages over plastic pots. With better air exchange, this "breathable" pot fosters robust root growth and reduces transplant shock since you can plant the pots directly in the ground. The pot naturally becomes part of the soil on its own over time—no composting required—and since they're made from a renewable resource that requires very little energy, they're earth-friendly too!

100% Guarantee

We offer a 100% guarantee for all our perennials to reach you in good condition and to grow. If you're not satisfied, we'll reship or refund immediately. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns—we share your passion for gardening and want your new plants to thrive in your border!

Shipping Details

We use custom, earth-friendly packaging to make sure your order arrives in great condition, and we ship based on the best planting time for your growing zone (see the approximate dates below), unless otherwise indicated at checkout. If you wish, you can indicate a specific ship date during checkout.

Spring

  • Zone 3, 4: Early to Mid May
  • Zone 5: Late April to Early May
  • Zone 6: Mid to Late April
  • Zone 7: Early to Mid April
  • Zone 8, 9, 10: Early April

Fall

  • Zone 2, 3, 4: Early September
  • Zone 5: Early to Mid September
  • Zone 6: Mid September
  • Zone 7: Mid to Late September
  • Zone 8, 9, 10: Late September to Early October