Tuesday 4 March 2014
Feature Spring Flowering Shrub Viburnum
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| ~Viburnum Varieties~ Spring has arrived and a favorite and versatile flowering shrub for the garden is viburnum. There are over 150 varieties of this deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub ranging in size from three to twenty feet, many of which are native to Long Island. Viburnum are known for their elegant pinkish-white blooms, some fragrant, followed by bright green foliage. Many species are noted for their brilliant fall foliage followed by berries, which are an excellent food source for winter birds. Viburnum prefer to be grown in full sun to partial shade in a moist but well-drained slightly acidic (pH 5.6-6.6) soil. Due to their versatility they fit beautifully into a number of landscapes including shrub borders, foundation plantings, screening or woodland plantings. The varieties of viburnum that will be discussed here have proven to be successful in the northeastern zone 7 garden. |
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| Viburnum Summer Snowflake Height 6-8, Width 8-10 Hardy to Zone 5 |
Viburnum Summer Snowflake is definitely a favorite and one of the more popular varieties I use in my landscape designs because of its more compact habit and profuse flat white flowers that last throughout summer and somewhat resemble a dogwood bloom. Summer Snowflake is commonly planted in groupings and can reach a height of 6-8 feet, but can be maintained as a smaller shrub. It is a lovely addition to an informal foundation planting or in a woodland setting.
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| Viburnum Carlcephalum (Fragrant) Height 6-10, Width 6-10 Hardy to Zones 4-5 If you are looking to appeal to the senses then Viburnum Carlcephalum will surround you with fragrant snowball like clusters of blooms in early spring. This variety of viburnum is commonly used as a backdrop in a perennial border or as an individual focal point in the garden and is one of the first viburnums to bloom. |
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| Viburnum Juddii (Fragrant) Height 4-6, Width 4-6 Hardy to Zones 4-5 Viburnum Juddii is a favorite for the informal woodland setting and and its lovely bright green foliage fits in nicely against a backdrop of darker evergreens. Juddii produces sweetly fragrant clusters of pinkish-white blooms in early spring and stays full and rounded at a mature height and width of 4-6 feet.  |
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| Viburnum plicatum tomentosum Mariesi Height 4-6, Width 4-6 Hardy to Zones 4-5 |
Viburnum Mariesi produces deep green ridged foliage and beautiful white blooms resembling those of a lace cap hydrangea on a rounded 4-6 high by wide shrub in late spring. Its tiered branching habit makes it a graceful addition to a mixed border or natural landscape.
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| Viburnum carlesi Korean Spice (Fragrant) Height 4-6, Height 4-6 Hardy to Zones 4-5 |
Korean Spice Viburnum is another favorite displaying pinkish buds in spring followed by clusters of highly fragrant pinkish-white blooms. Given the name Korean Spice the blooms give off an aroma resembling spice cake throughout the landscape. The dark green foliage of this viburnum turns to a bright red in fall followed by the appearance of attractive berries.
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| Viburnum rhytidophyllum Leatherleaf (Semi-Evergreen)-Fragrant Height 10-15, Width 10-15 Hardy to Zones 3-5 The last is Leatherleaf Viburnum which is one of the semi-evergreen varieties in zone 7. Due to its higher stature it is often used as hedging or as a backdrop in privacy border. In spring Viburnum rhytidophyllum Leatherleaf produces fragrant clusters of creamy-white blooms on coarsely textured blue-green foliage. Fall interest includes the formation of blue berries starting in June and developing into mature black berries by September. Leatherleaf Viburnum will tolerate shadier conditions and moister soil conditions than most other viburnums. Viburnum are a wonderful way to welcome spring. Their versatility makes them an excellent addition to many a landscape and while providing all season interest another attribute is that they are also "deer resistant". Try one or more of the many varieties available as an addition to your landscape. Happy Spring and Happy Gardening! Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved  |
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