Viburnum ZHLOBOVSKAYA

Viburnum 'Zhlobovskaya' – a mid-late variety bred at the All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Growing (NIISS) under the leadership of Z.P. Zhlobova and I.P. Kalinina. The bush reaches a height of up to 2.5 m, has a spreading crown with light-gray straight branches that are easily pruned, making the plant suitable for living hedges. Leaves are dark green, slightly hairy on the underside, and turn crimson shades in autumn.

The variety's fruits are spherical berries weighing 0.5–0.6 g, covered with a smooth, glossy skin of dark red color. At full maturity, they are juicy and sweet with a slight aftertaste of bitterness; on the tasting scale, they are rated around 4.2 points. Yield is good – up to 5 kg per adult plant; the first harvest is possible in late September in the third or fourth year after planting.

Viburnum 'Zhlobovskaya' is characterized by high frost hardiness (up to -30 °C without shelter) and resistance to pests, although it may be affected by viburnum leaf roller and aphids. For prevention, insecticides such as 'Turbo Presto' are applied before flowering. The plant is moisture-loving and requires additional watering in hot weather. Berries can be eaten fresh, frozen, dried, or used for making juice, jam, or preserves. Thanks to its decorative properties, bushes look great both as individual plantings and in living hedges.