Common Name: Japanese Snowball Latin Name: Viburnum plicatum ‘Watanabe’ Soil: Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soilPosition: Full sun or partial shadeFlowering period/colour: May-June/ WhiteHardiness: Fully hardyEventual height/spread: 2m/1.5mSpecial features: Delicate white flowers and attractive layered branches. The ‘Watanabe’ is an attractive shrub that, unlike other plicatum varieties, grows to be a more manageable size for the smaller garden. Despite being smaller than the other plicatum viburnums, the ‘Watanabe’ still grows to have the same attractive layered braches when mature. The delicate white lacecap flowers blossom from May to June and really bring the shrub to life. The foliage is slightly serrated at the edges and is green with a red blush. This is a great choice for planting in a mixed border.