25x Bare Root Guelder Rose Plants (2-3ft) PRE-ORDER

First Dispatch Date: 9th November 2026

Guelder Rose - Description

• Bare Root Guelder Rose Hedging Plants
• Viburnum opulus
• Also known as Guelder Rose, Whitten Tree, Red Elder and Rose Elder
• Native Irish Hedging Plant
• Sold as Bare Root Plants
• Plant Size: 2–3ft (60–80cm)
• Age: 1+1 Year Old Plants
• Quantity: 25 Plants
• Recommended Spacing: 30–90cm Between Plants
• Can be grown individually for strong seasonal impact
• Excellent when mixed through a native hedgerow
• Important: Water well before and after planting

Guelder Rose - Characteristics

• Native to Ireland and well suited to native hedgerows
• Deciduous shrub which can reach approximately 2.5m in height and 3m in width
• Develops an attractive tall, arching growth habit
• Loses its foliage during winter
• Palmate green leaves provide attractive summer foliage
• Leaves develop rich red and maroon tones in autumn
• Moderate to fast growth rate
• Produces attractive clusters of white flowers from May to July
• Produces glossy red berries from late summer and into autumn
• Very hardy and well suited to cold Irish winters and hard frosts

Guelder Rose - Uses

• Excellent for creating an informal native hedge
• Provides seasonal interest throughout the year
• White summer flowers provide an attractive display
• Rich red and maroon autumn foliage adds strong seasonal colour
• Glossy red berries provide winter interest and food for birds
• Excellent choice for wildlife-friendly planting
• Suitable for planting in partially shaded positions
• Performs well in moist soils and is particularly suitable for damp areas
• Prefers fertile, moisture-retentive soil and is not well suited to strongly acidic conditions
• Can be planted individually as a specimen shrub or incorporated into a mixed native hedgerow

Guelder Rose - Planting Instructions

Planting Time

• Plant bare root shrubs during the dormant season from October to March.
• Avoid planting when the ground is frozen or during severe frosty conditions.

Trench Preparation

• Prepare a planting hole or trench approximately 2ft wide and 2ft deep.
• Add well-rotted farmyard manure to the base of the hole or trench if required.
• Cover the manure with a layer of soil before planting.

Positioning Plants

• For hedging, space plants approximately 30–90cm apart depending on the desired density.
• Stagger planting positions to create a wider and denser hedge.
• Position each plant at approximately the same depth as it was previously growing.
• Backfill with suitable topsoil.
• Ensure each plant is upright and firm the soil carefully around the roots.
• Level the soil around the plants.
• Water thoroughly after planting.

Handling the Plants

• Watering is essential both before and after planting.
• Plant the bare root plants as soon as possible after delivery.
• If planting is delayed, temporarily heel the plants into suitable soil.
• Keep the roots in their packaging and protected from direct sunlight.
• Take care not to damage the roots, bark or buds during planting.

After Care

• Water regularly until the plants are fully established.
• Water thoroughly immediately after planting.
• During prolonged dry weather, water approximately every 2 days.
• Keep the area around the young hedge free from competing weeds.
• Particular care should be taken with bindweed, which can quickly smother young plants.
• A new hedge should be weeded at least three times during the growing season.
• We recommend weeding in March, June and September.
• Weed membrane and mulch can be used to help suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.

Pruning

• Guelder Rose flowers on older growth, so avoid excessive pruning before flowering.
• Prune after flowering to maintain the desired shape and encourage healthy new growth.
• Remove older or overcrowded branches as required to maintain a balanced shrub.

Guelder Rose - Quick Facts

• Viburnum opulus is not a true rose; it belongs to the Viburnum family.
• The Viburnum genus includes many popular garden plants, including Viburnum tinus, Viburnum plicatum and Viburnum davidii.
• The red fruits are an important food source for birds and other wildlife.
• Raw berries can cause stomach upset if eaten and should not be consumed without appropriate preparation.
• The flowers attract a variety of pollinating insects.
• Viburnum opulus is known as Kalyna in Ukraine and has strong cultural significance there.
• The berries have traditionally been used in food preparation, drinks and natural dyes in various cultures.
• The common name Guelder Rose is thought to relate to the historical cultivation of the species in the Dutch province of Gelderland.