Snowball Viburnum vs Round Leaf Hawthorn - TreeTime.ca

Snowball Viburnum vs Round Leaf Hawthorn

Viburnum opulus Roseum

Crataegus chrysocarpa (Crataegus rotundifolia)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Snowball Viburnum
Round Leaf Hawthorn

Snowball Viburnum is a popular ornamental shrub with prolific flowering. This plant is prized for its round clusters of white flowers that resemble snowballs, delighting children and adults. In fall, its leaves turn vibrant shades of red.

Snowball Viburnum is sought after as a single accent shrub, but can also make a dense hedge or privacy screen.

Getting its name from rounded, toothed leaves, the Round Leaf Hawthorn is a winter hardy shrub that grows small, red, berry-like fruits.

Commonly used for landscaping, this shrub can also be found along stream banks and in wooded areas. Caution is advised when handling the Round Leaf Hawthorn, as it can have sharp thorns approximately 1" long.

Snowball Viburnum Quick Facts

Round Leaf Hawthorn Quick Facts

Zone: 3b
Zone: 2a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: none


Foliage: round, serrated
Fall colour: purplish-red
Bark: gold to gray
Flowers: white
Flowers: showy white
Fruit: small red berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Other Names: european cranberrybush, guelder rose, snowball bush, snowball tree