Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
Out of season
New
Viburnum
'Compactum'
arrowwood
Viburnum 'Compactum' is a quietly dependable arrowwood, prized for its neat proportions and unflappable nature. Slow-growing and naturally well behaved, it forms a dense, rounded shrub reaching around 1.2 metres, making Viburnum carlesii 'Compactum' an excellent choice for smaller gardens, mixed borders or low hedging where structure matters. The oval, dark green leaves have softly irregular toothed edges, with pale greyish undersides that catch the light on breezy days. As spring unfolds, dome-shaped clusters of pink-tinged buds appear, opening into gently fragrant, tubular white flowers that feel generous without being showy. Viburnum 'Compactum' has an easy elegance that sits comfortably alongside perennials, grasses and spring bulbs, lending a sense of calm order to planting schemes.
Later in the season, the flowers give way to small berries that deepen to black, adding subtle autumn interest and providing a valuable food source for birds. Like all good arrowwoods, Viburnum carlesii 'Compactum' is resilient, tolerant of a range of soils and unfazed by cooler conditions, once established. It performs best in sun or light shade, where its tidy habit requires very little intervention beyond the occasional light trim. Whether used to anchor a border, soften hard landscaping or create a low, informal hedge, Viburnum 'Compactum' offers year-round reliability with a gentle, understated charm. This is a shrub for gardeners who appreciate plants that quietly do their job well, season after season, without fuss.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
-
Viburnum carlesii 'Compactum'
Viburnum × burkwoodii 'Compactum' - Flower colour
- White, red berries
- Established height
- 1-1.5m
- Established spread
- 1-1.5m
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Clump-forming
Upright - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant size
- 1
- Plant spacing
- 6 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
-
Sheltered
Exposed - Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- RHS Award (AGM)
- Yes
- Scented
- Yes
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Clay
Loam
Multipurpose compost - Suitable for
-
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Gravel gardens
Wildlife gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade
Dappled shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1-2 years
Perfect for pots
Fragrant
Thrives in full sun
RHS Recommended
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed peat-free
Drought tolerant
Low maintenance
Attracts wildlife
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Every bulb and plant is sourced, selected and prepared with an expert eye for their quality and garden performance.
