Birchleaf Viburnum

Birchleaf Viburnum is a deciduous shrub (or small tree) that is native to China and Taiwan.

The showy bright red fruits are drupes that stay whole winter long on the shrub because birds don’t like these berries as they taste too bitter.

But after a prolonged period of frost (like we had recently), the bitter taste disappears and the berries gradually get a mild flavor.
In that case they are good edible for birds at the time when spring arrives.

Dutch name : Sneeuwbal
German name : Birkenblättriger Schneeball
Latin name : Viburnum betulifolium