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Viburnum lantana

Wayfaring Tree · Wayfarer

Family ViburnaceaeGenus Viburnum

Flat clusters of bright red berries hanging from a shrub of broad deeply ribbed leaves.
FruitOpioła JerzyCC BY 2.5

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
ShrubExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
shrub or treePlants of the World Online
Height
10-15 ft3-4.6 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
10-15 ft3-4.6 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Cream/Tan, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Hardiness zones
4-7Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Worth knowing

  • The wayfaring tree is a vigorous shrub of central, southern and western Europe, common along waysides. Its fruit is of low to no toxicity, but it can cause vomiting or diarrhoea if eaten unripe or in quantity. Wikipedia: Viburnum lantana

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around May 11, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on May 10, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 days

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    5 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 4 run on after germination.

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 60 days.

86% germination in 60 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Viburnum p. 228Public domain
Show the original text
Viburnum (Caprlfollaceae). Viburnums divide into two groups. The first group germ. in a 40-70 pattern. The cotyledons develop within a week or two after germination. This group is adapted to germination in spring and immediate leaf development and growth. The second group germ. in a 40-70-40 pattern with extension into a 40-70-40-70-40 pattern. Germination takes place in a cycle at 40. The seedlings must be kept at 40 for two to three months after radicle development is complete in order for the cotyledons to develop properly on shifting to 70. Puncturing. the seed coat had no effect in three species. All seed was WC for 1-2 w. Germination was stimulated by GA-3 in V. lantana germ. 40-70(86% in 2nd m)-40-70(5%) and less in 70(47%)-40(28%)- 70(3%) using seeds collected in December and WC or WC seed DS 6 m at 70 or 40. The cotyledons opened in 2nd w after germination.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Viburnum p. 228. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 days

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    28 germinated in this phase.

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    3 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 3 run on after germination.

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

47% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Viburnum p. 228Public domain
Show the original text
Viburnum (Caprlfollaceae). Viburnums divide into two groups. The first group germ. in a 40-70 pattern. The cotyledons develop within a week or two after germination. This group is adapted to germination in spring and immediate leaf development and growth. The second group germ. in a 40-70-40 pattern with extension into a 40-70-40-70-40 pattern. Germination takes place in a cycle at 40. The seedlings must be kept at 40 for two to three months after radicle development is complete in order for the cotyledons to develop properly on shifting to 70. Puncturing. the seed coat had no effect in three species. All seed was WC for 1-2 w. Germination was stimulated by GA-3 in V. lantana germ. 40-70(86% in 2nd m)-40-70(5%) and less in 70(47%)-40(28%)- 70(3%) using seeds collected in December and WC or WC seed DS 6 m at 70 or 40. The cotyledons opened in 2nd w after germination.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Viburnum p. 228. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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