Deciduous variety, so leaves should start to fall now. Yes, far better in the ground as it will get quite big and look its best.

Hi, sorry to disagree, but Viburnum x burkwoodii is an evergreen shrub, the leaves could be yellowing and falling off because the compost in the pot has run out of nutrients, try taking it out of the pot to see if it's potbound, also check for Viburnum beetle, they're also susceptible to honey fungus, and leaf spot, Derek.

The subjects in my garden centre have been deciduous every winter for the past 5 years but they have been grown in containers. It is the Tinus varieties that are most likely to be attacked by the Viburnum beetle and its leaves become perforated like paper doilies.

I bought this because it was said to be evergreen and it was evergreen last winter. I have fed it but perhaps with not the right food. I forgot to say that the affected leaves are also spotted. What sort of food does it require? i would love to plant it in the ground but have nowhere to put it. Yes, I know I shouldn't have got it in the first place but it didn't register with me just how big it would grow. I'll probably end up giving it away on Freecycle but would love to keep it healthy over winter.

Hi, V burkwoodii, is usually evergreen when mature, all Viburnum species are susceptible to V beetle, although more particularly on V Tinus, V Opulus, and V Lantana, and all species are susceptible to honey fungus and leaf spot, Derek.

Thankyou very much for your comments and advice. Can you advise me on how to feed? I will certainly look at the roots.

B. burkwoodii is one of those that can drop its leaves in a bad winter - but that can't be the explanation because winter hasn't really started yet. Unless it went very short of water in the past few weeks, turn it out of the pot, as suggested, to check how rootbound it is, or if there's some other problem there. Unlikely to be Viburnum beetle, you'd have noticed holes in the leaves, and some varieties are more susceptible than others - burkwoodii is not one of the most susceptible ones, being listed as 'moderately susceptible' rather than 'highly', as V. tinus is.

Hi, I wouldn't feed it now, wait until it starts into new growth, then you can either replace the top 2 to 3 inches of compost, after sprinkling on some granular feed, or if the roots are near the top of the pot, just use a balanced liquid feed, about once a month until about august, Derek.

Thanks all. I'll look at the roots then leave or repot and start feeding in spring.