May 26

Birth Flower

Snowball Viburnum
Japanese Snowball Viburnum

Scientific Name: Viburnum plicatum
Family: Adoxaceae

Flower Language

  • Pledge

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A deciduous shrub of the Adoxaceae family, this beautiful flowering tree blooms in May with pure white sterile flowers clustered in spherical shapes. Called 'Temari-bana' (ball flower) for its round ball-like flower clusters, it's sold in the flower trade as snowball or viburnum. Originally a horticultural variety of the Japanese native Viburnum plicatum, all flowers have become sterile ornamental ones. Popular as a garden tree and valued as cut flowers.

Trivia

  • Originally horticultural variety of Viburnum plicatum with only sterile flowers
  • Traded as 'snowball' in flower industry
  • Beloved in Europe and America since Victorian era
  • No fruit as all flowers are sterile

Uses

Ornamental
  • Planted as garden trees
  • Used as cut flowers
  • Flower arrangement material
  • Wedding decorations
Medicinal

Caution: No reliable information about medicinal use

Culinary

Not edible

Other
  • Used as dried flowers
  • Bridal decorations
  • Landscape plant for gardens

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported

Shasta Daisy
Leucanthemum

Scientific Name: Leucanthemum x superbum
Family: Asteraceae

Flower Language

  • Enduring all
  • Patience

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

A perennial herb of the Asteraceae family native to Europe, producing pure white flowers very similar to marguerites in early summer. Distinguished from marguerites by leaf shape - Shasta daisy leaves are oval without the deep indentations of marguerite leaves. Hardy and easy to grow with a long flowering period, making it popular in gardens and border plantings. Also valued as cut flowers for their longevity.

Trivia

  • Similar to marguerites but distinguished by leaf shape
  • Named after Mount Shasta for its snow-white color
  • Bred by Luther Burbank
  • Long flowering period from early summer to autumn

Uses

Ornamental
  • Planted in flower beds
  • Border gardens
  • Used as cut flowers
  • Potted plant cultivation
Medicinal
  • Traditionally used for wound treatment
  • Sometimes used as herbal tea

Caution: Medical effects not proven, medicinal use should be approached with caution

Culinary
  • Petals
  • Young leaves
Other
  • Used as dried flowers
  • Pressed flower material
  • Natural garden plant

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported