Chinese Snowball Bush

• Chinese snowball bush or Chinese snowball viburnum (Viburnum macrocephalum "Sterile") is a 12- to 20-foot-tall shrub with a spread that equals the plant's height. This deciduous shrub has the ability to perform as a semi-evergreen plant in warmer climates. In spring and summer, the Chinese snowball bush flourishes with 6- to 8-inch-diameter clusters of lime-green sterile flowers that turn to white. The dull green leaves of the Chinese snowball bush are 2 to 4 inches in length with an oval to oblong shape.
  
  

Japanese Snowball Bush

• Japanese snowball bush or Japanese snowball viburnum (Viburnum plicatum) is a 15-foot upright shrub with a rounded formation. This spring-flowering plant develops lime- colored blossoms the size of tennis balls that change to a white hue upon maturing. The 2- to 4-inch foliage of the Japanese snowball bush is oval to oblong with crinkles and veins along the leaves. Japanese snowball bush enjoys well-draining, moist soil. This deciduous shrub does not thrive in heavy clay soils.
  
  

Common Snowball Bush

• Common snowball bush or European snowball (Viburnum opulus "roseum") grows to heights of 8 to 12 feet with a spread of 8 to 12 feet. This deciduous shrub has a moderate growth rate and an upright development. In the late spring, the common snowball bush blossoms with 3-inch-wide white sterile flowers in large, rounded cluster arrangements. During the fall, the leaves of the common snowball bush transform from green to a reddish-purple. Common snowball bushes require partial to full sun and moist, well-draining soils.
  
  

Hydrangea Species

• Hydrangeas are flowering shrubs that belong to the Hydrangeaceae family. Many species develop flowers in clusters much like the blossoms of snowball bushes. PeeGee hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) is a 10- to 25-foot-tall deciduous shrub. During the summer, the PeeGee hydrangea blossoms with large white flowers that turn to pink with age. Snowhill hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) is a deciduous shrub indigenous to Northeastern and Midwest regions of the United States. This 3- to 5-foot-tall hydrangea starts blooming in June with white to pink showy flowers 4 to 6 inches in diameter.