Viburnums are Versatile Shrubs

Some viburnum flowers are arranged horizontally along the branches. A specimen of V. plicatum var. tomentosum 'Mariesii' that's been pruned into a low-growing form. Photo/Illustration: Todd Meier, taken at Sydney Eddison's garden, Newtown, CT.

It can be risky for a nursery owner to go out on a limb about naming his favorite plants. But I have absolutely no qualms about saying that viburnums are my pick for the most versatile and gardenworthy genus of shrubs. Besides having attractive foliage and growth habits, the best viburnums also offer lovely—sometimes even fragrant—flowers. Many also boast colorful fruits and stunning fall foliage. In addition, the fruits are appealing to birds and other wildlife. What more could you ask of a shrub?

As a garden designer, whenever I've needed a shrub for a problem area—dry, wet, sunny, or shady—a viburnum has always come to the rescue. There are more than 150 species of Viburnum; many are native to North America, growing in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 9. My current garden is in Zone 6, Connecticut, but I've also grown viburnums in the Zone 2 climate of Vermont.

In a shrub border, viburnums stand out in the spring. The elegant creamy-white flowers of V. plicatum var. tomentosum 'Summer Snowflake' light up the landscape. Photo/Illustration: Steve Silk

Viburnums are usually shrubs, but their habits vary. A few dwarf varieties, such as Viburnum opulus 'Nanum', are under 3 feet. Others, such as Seibold viburnum (V. seiboldii), may grow up to 20 feet tall. Most viburnums also have a full spreading habit. Some viburnums can become medium-size trees, especially if they are pruned. Viburnums excel as specimen plants or as anchors in mixed borders. You won't find a more versatile group of shrubs for hedges or for massing in groups, since viburnums hold their own in every season. Some viburnums, such as Prague viburnum (V. 'Pragense'), are evergreen. Others, such as leatherleaf viburnum (V. rhytidophyllum), are semi-evergreen in colder climates, losing their leaves when temperatures dip below 10° F.

A few viburnums can be grown as standards and used in various settings. A viburnum standard can create height in the back of a border or in pots on each side of a terrace entrance, underplanted with annuals. Varieties that look good as standards are: V. plicatum var. tomentosum 'Newport', V. carlesii 'Compactum', and V. X bodnantense 'Dawn'. The latter's late-winter blooms provide a wonderful display.

These adaptable shrubs are easy to grow

Attractive fruits are part of the ongoing show offered by many viburnums. Known as cranberry bush viburnum, V. trilobum bears masses of bright-red berries that often persist through winter. Photo/Illustration: Virginia Small

One of the things I like most about viburnums is that they grow without a lot of fussing over them. Those that are native to North America are especially adaptable. For example, although Southern blackhaw viburnum (V. rufidulum) grows as an understory shrub in the Piedmont, it will take full sun in good soil. This viburnum makes a fine specimen. Its rounded leaves turn burgundy in fall. Accented by blue drupes of fruit, it is breathtaking against a backdrop of evergreens. Another native, arrowwood viburnum (V. dentatum), adapts to many soil conditions. It weathered a recent drought here without looking the least bit straggly.

If you need a reliable shrub for deep shade with moist soil, consider hobblebush viburnum (V. alnifolium, also known as V. lantanoides). Hiking in New Hampshire recently, I came across the loveliest stand of hobblebush I've ever seen. Limbs that had fallen on the ground had taken root and formed a colony. Nannyberry viburnum (V. lentago) is another native that enjoys moist shade, but it can also adapt to sun and dry soil. It has creamy-white lacecap flowers in mid- to late May here in Connecticut. Its fruit -- 1/2 inch drupes -- turns shades of yellow, rose, pink, and finally, bluish-black. Sometimes all shades are showing at once.

V. seiboldii, which produces profuse cream-colored blooms in spring, may reach 20 feet. Photo/Illustration: Virginia Small

A close kin to these two natives is blackhaw viburnum (V. prunifolium). While it prefers dry feet, it's adaptable to many soil types, and to sunny and shady sites. Its dark-green foliage turns purplish-red in fall, and its fruit turns from pink to bluish-black, with a waxy, gray bloom. I find it makes a great small, single-stem tree.

Most viburnums grow best in full sun but are just as content in light to partial shade. Except for a few varieties, noted in the chart Viburnums that excel from season to season, give them moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil with a pH from 5.6 to 6.6. When viburnums enjoy good air circulation, they rarely suffer from fungal diseases. If they're content in their site, they're usually not bothered by pests.

Viburnums are known for their attractive foliage

The leaves of mapleleaf viburnum (V. acerfolium) turn various colors in fall. Photo/Illustration: J. Paul Moore

Most viburnums in cultivation have reliably attractive foliage. Leaves vary in size, texture, and color. Foliage may be rounded or lance-shape, and entire or toothed around the edges. Most deciduous viburnums have great fall color, ranging from yellow to red to burgundy, depending on the species or cultivar. But mapleleaf viburnum (V. acerfolium) is hard to beat, turning purple to rosy in the fall. This is also a shrub that could help you out in those dry, shady spots.

If you're looking for an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub, consider V. X rhytidophylloides and its cultivars. 'Willowwood' has lustrous, deeply veined green foliage and flowers in the fall. In my garden, it usually makes it through winter looking good. 'Allegheny' has dense, rounded, dark-green leaves. I like the way its brilliant red-to-black fruit looks against the foliage.

But don't forget the flowers

Use a tall-growing viburnum as an anchor in a mixed border. Here, V. plicatum var. tomentosum is a standout. Photo/Illustration: Lee Anne White

If you want an exceptional shrub near the house, consider a viburnum with fragrant flowers. Open the window on a spring day when one of these viburnums is in bloom and the fragrance will waft through the house.

Viburnums have two major types of flower heads: flat-topped clusters of flowers that resemble lacecap hydrangeas, and snowball types, with globe- or dome-shape flower clusters. Viburnum flowers range from creamy white to pink. The buds, often shaped like small nuts, are usually attractive as well.

The list of outstanding flowering viburnums is long, but I want to mention just a few. Burkwood viburnum (V. X burkwoodii), semi-evergreen in a mild winter, is extremely fragrant and has many cultivars. 'Anne Russell', a compact shrub, has fragrant pink buds and red fall foliage. 'Mohawk', introduced by the late Dr. Donald Egolf of the National Arboretum, has a striking fragrance of spice as its reddish buds open into white snowballs. Introduced by William Judd at the Arnold Arboretum in 1920, Judd viburnum (V. X juddii) is an extremely heavy flowering hybrid of V. bitchiuense. It has purple fall foliage with black fruit. Mayflower viburnum (V. carlesii), an old garden favorite, is popular for good reason. Also known as Korean spice viburnum, it has very fragrant pink buds that open to showy white snowball flowers. My favorite cultivars are 'Cayuga', a compact grower with pink buds, and 'Compactum', which grows to only 3 feet tall and wide in 10 years.

The straight species form of European cranberry bush (V. opulus) is not as exciting as some viburnums, but several cultivars are exceptional. 'Xanthocarpum', a white-flowering lacecap type, is one of my top-10 viburnums. It has dark-green foliage and yellowish stems with persistent yellow fruit. 'Nanum', a dwarf cultivar, grows to only 2 feet high and 3 feet wide in 10 years. It's sometimes confused with 'Compactum', which gets much larger and flowers more than 'Nanum'. European snowball viburnum (V. o. 'Roseum') is a sterile viburnum. Its showy and profuse snowball flowers start out apple-green and change to white.

But the real floral show-stoppers are the doublefile viburnums (V. plicatum var. tomentosum). There are many fine cultivars in this group, though some of my favorites have little or no fragrance. They all have excellent orange-red foliage in autumn with red-black fruit. 'Mariesii' and 'Shasta' both have white lacecap flowers. 'Kern's Pink' has pale-pink snowball flowers and dark-green leaves with magenta edges.

Last but not least is V. sargentii 'Onondaga', a knock-out cultivar introduced by Dr. Egolf. Its maroon foliage emerges at the same time as fertile flowers that are a little darker maroon and set off by sterile florets in white with a tint of burgundy. This sensational shrub makes a great specimen or hedge.

The best viburnums boast great flowers and foliage. The dark-green leaves of V. plicatum var. tomentosum 'Kern's Pink' highlight its pale-pink, snowball-shape blooms. Photo/Illustration: Lee Anne White

Many viburnums have exceptional flowers. The maroon buds of V. sargentii 'Onondaga' open to become delicate lacelike flowers. Photo/Illustration: Steve Silk

Colorful fruit adds appeal

Viburnums frequently set good-looking fruit, which often persists for a long time. Among the best fruiting viburnums is linden viburnum (V. dilatatum). Dr. Egolf also introduced some fine cultivars of this East Asian species. The red fruits of 'Erie' eventually turn coral, then pink. The compact-growing 'Oneida' holds its glossy, dark-red fruit for most of the winter. 'Michael Dodge', with its yellow fruit, is good for the autumn garden. The bright-red berries of tea viburnum (V. setigerum) often persist throughout winter. This Asian native will take a lot of shade, and you could try making tea from the leaves.

Smooth witherod (V. nudum), a fine native species, also puts on an exceptional show in fruit. Its berries turn from green to pink to red to dark blue. All these can appear on a single plant at the same time. 'Winterthur' is more compact. In fall, smooth witherod's glossy leaves turn from tinted bronze to bright red.

V. nudum 'Winterthur'.   Photo/Illustration: J. Paul Moore

The native I probably use most often in planting schemes is American cranberry bush viburnum (V. trilobum), so named because its fruit looks like bright-red cranberries. Its crisp and shiny dark-green foliage turns reddish-purple in the fall. New growth emerges with a reddish tint. Compact cultivars, such as 'Compactum Alfredo', work well in hedges or shrub borders. 'Wentworth' is a must for winter interest, with its cherry-red winter fruit persisting well into January if the temperature doesn't drop too drastically. American cranberry bush, however, does not like dry locations.

For good fruit displays, it's important to remember that most viburnums are not self-pollinating. In fact, except for V. opulus, they are self-incompatible, which means they need a little genetic variability to fruit well. For example, witherod viburnum does not fruit well planted alone. When planted near its cousin, smooth witherod, its fruiting dramatically increases.

Once you plant a viburnum or three in your garden, you're certain to enjoy them from season to season and for many years to come. And you'll probably start looking for more of these rewarding shrubs to grow as well.

Viburnums that excel from season to season

I would be hard pressed to pick just a handful of exceptional viburnums, so this hefty chart lists a few dozen. Bloom times are for Zone 6. Semi-evergreen means that the shrub holds some or all of its leaves in a mild winter. Unless noted, viburnums grow well in moist, well-drained soil in full sun, but will also tolerate partial shade. North American native viburnums and their cultivars are indicated by an asterisk.

V. alnifolium* (also known as V. lantanoides) (hobblebush)
Height and width: 7-8 x 8-10 ft.. Flowers: white lacecap, fragrant. Bloom time: May. Fruit: red to purple-black. Comments: excellent red-purple fall color; good understory plant for moist shade. Zones: 3-6

V. × bodnantense 'Dawn'
Height and width: 8-10 x 6 ft.. Flowers: pink buds open to white; fragrant. Bloom time: Feb.-April. Fruit: red to black. Comments: foliage emerges bronzy-green, matures to dark green. Zones: 4-8

V. × burkwoodii (Burkwood viburnum)
Height and width: 8 x 5 ft.. Flowers: pink buds open to white snowballs, spicy fragranc. Bloom time: March-April. Fruit: red to black. Comments: semi-evergreen. Zones: 4-8

V. × burkwoodii 'Anne Russell'
Height and width: 6 x 8 ft. Flowers: pink buds open to white snowballs, fragrant. Bloom time: April. Fruit: red to black. Comments: semi-evergreen. Zones: 5-8

V. × burkwoodii 'Mohawk'
Height and width: 7 x 5 ft. Flowers: dark-red buds open to white snowballs, clove fragrance. Bloom time: Ma. Fruit: red to black. Comments: orange-red fall color; disease-resistant. Zones: 5-8

V. × carlcephalum (fragrant snowball viburnum)
Height and width: 6-10 x 6-10 ft.. Flowers: pink opening to white snowballs, fragran. Bloom time: May. Fruit: red to black. Comments: a vigorous, upright-growing shrub. Zones: 5-8

V. carlesii (Mayflower viburnum, Korean spice viburnum)
Height and width: 10-12 x 7-8 ft. Flowers: pink buds open white, very fragrant snowballs. Bloom time: May. Fruit: red to blac. Comments: dense shrub with upright spreading branches. Zones: 4-7

V. carlesii 'Compactum'
Height and width: 4 x 4 ft. Flowers: pink buds open white, very fragrant. Bloom time: May. Fruit: red to black. Comments: very dark-green foliage turns wine-red in fall; excellent for borders. Zones: 4-7

V. cassinoides*  (witherod viburnum)
Height and width: 6-10 x 5-6 ft.. Flowers: creamy-white laceca. Bloom time: Jun. Fruit: green to red to blue-black, often all at once. Comments: orange to purple fall color. Zones: 4-8

V. dentatum* (arrowwood viburnum)
Height and width: 10-12 x 5-6 ft. Flowers: creamy-white, fragrant lacecap. Bloom time: May-June. Fruit: yellow to glossy red to purple. Comments: adapts to varied soil conditions. Zones: 2-8

V. dilatatum (linden viburnum)
Height and width: 8-10 x 7-8 ft. Flowers: creamy white lacecap, slightly fragran. Bloom time: May-June. Fruit: red-scarlet, often persists into winter. Comments: bronze to russet fall color. Zones: 4-8

V. dilatatum 'Erie'
Height and width: 10 x 6 ft. Flowers: creamy-white lacecap. Bloom time: May-June. Fruit: prolific and persisten. Comments: yellow-to-red fall color;. Zones: 5-8

V. dilatatum 'Michael Dodge'
Height and width: 8-10 x 5-7 ft.. Flowers: creamy-white, laceca. Bloom time: May-June. Fruit: yellow, persistent. Comments: scarlet to burgundy fall color foliage. Zones: 5-8

V. dilatatum 'Oneida'
Height and width: 5 x 5 ft. Flowers: white lacecap. Bloom time: May. Fruit: red fruit, persistent. Comments: pale-yellow to orange-red fall colo. Zones: 5-8

V. × juddii (Judd viburnum)
Height and width: 7 x 6 ft. Flowers: white, very fragrant snowball type. Bloom time: April-May. Fruit: red to blac. Comments: an exceptional flowering shrub. Zones: 4-8

V. lantana 'Mohican'  (way-faring tree)
Height and width: 8 x 9 ft. Flowers: white snowball, not fragran. Bloom time: May. Fruit: orange to red to black. Comments: excellent foliage turns purple in fall; takes dry soil. Zones: 3-7

V. lentago* (nannyberry viburnum, sheepberry)
Height and width: 15-20 x 8-10 ft.. Flowers: creamy-white lacecap. Bloom time: May. Fruit: from green to blue-black; lasts into winter. Comments: a fine small specimen tree; adapts to wet or dry soi. Zones: 2-8

V. nudum ''Winterthur'* (smooth witherod)
Height and width: 6-8 x 5 ft.. Flowers: creamy-white lacecap. Bloom time: June. Fruit: green to pink to red to blue, often at once. Comments: a fine small specimen tree; red to reddish-purple fall color. Zones: 5-9

V. opulus 'Xanthocarpum' (yellow-fruited European cranberry bush)
Height and width: 6 x 6 ft. Flowers: white lacecap. Bloom time: Ma. Fruit: yellow fruit, persistent. Comments: excellent compact form; lime-green foliage turns yellow in fal. Zones: 3-7

V. opulus 'Nanum' (dwarf European cranberry bush)
Height and width: 2 x 3 ft. Flowers: white snowball. Bloom time: May. Fruit: rarely produces frui. Comments: excellent fall color; good for small hedge; does not tolerate wet soil. Zones: 3-7

V. opulus 'Roseum'  (European snowball bush)
Height and width: 8-10 x 6-7 ft. Flowers: white snowbal. Bloom time: May. Fruit: red to black. Comments: great color for shrub border. Zones: 3-7

V. plicatum var. tomentosum 'Kern's Pink' (pink doublefile viburnum)
Height and width: 6 x 8 ft. Flowers: light-pink snowball. Bloom time: May. Fruit: red to black. Comments: dark-green foliage with magenta leaf margins. Zones: 3-8

V. plicatum var. tomentosum 'Mariesii' (doublefile viburnum)
Height and width: 8 x 12 ft. Flowers: white laceca. Bloom time: May. Fruit: red to black. Comments: elegant horizontal branching; reddish-purple fall colo. Zones: 5-8

V. plicatum var. tomentosum 'Shasta' (doublefile viburnum)
Height and width: 6 x 5 ft. Flowers: large white lacecap. Bloom time: May. Fruit: red to black. Comments: plum-hued fall color, great as a specimen. Zones: 5-8

V. plicatum var. tomentosum 'Summer Snowflake' (doublefile viburnum)
Height and width: 10 x 5 ft. Flowers: white laceca. Bloom time: June-September. Fruit: red to black. Comments: great for all-summer blooms; yellow-orange fall color. Zones: 3-8

V. plicatum var. tomentosum 'Newport' (doublefile viburnum)
Height and width: 5 x 5 ft. Flowers: white snowball; light fragrance. Bloom time: Ma. Fruit: rarely produces fruit. Comments: dark-green leaves turn burgundy in fal. Zones: 5-8

V. prunifolium* (blackhaw viburnum)
Height and width: 12-15 x 8-12 ft.. Flowers: creamy-white lacecap. Bloom time: May. Fruit: pink to bluish-black. Comments: purple-red fall foliage; lovely native tree, mildew-resistant. Zones: 3-9

V. × rhytidophylloides 'Allegheny'*
Height and width: 10 x 12 ft. Flowers: creamy-white laceca. Bloom time: May (may continue blooming. Fruit: red to blac. Comments: semi-evergree. Zones: 4-8

V. × rhytidophylloides 'Willowwood'*
Height and width: 12 x 12 ft. Flowers: creamy-white, dome-shaped. Bloom time: May (may continue blooming. Fruit: red to blac. Comments: semi-evergreen, pleasing arching habit. Zones: 4-8

V. rufidulum* (Southern blackhaw viburnum)
Height and width: 15 x 8 ft. Flowers: white lacecap. Bloom time: May. Fruit: dark-blue. Comments: burgundy fall foliage. Zones: 5-9

V. sargentii 'Onondaga' ('Onondaga' Sargent viburnum)
Height and width: 12 x 6  ft. Flowers: maroon lacecap flower with white floret. Bloom time: Ma. Fruit: scarlet. Comments: new foliage is maroon; must have moist soil. Zones: 3-7

V. setigerum (tea viburnum)
Height and width: 10-12 x 8-10 ft. Flowers: white lacecap. Bloom time: May-June. Fruit: red-orange in pendant clusters, persisten. Comments: excellent woodland shrub. Zones: 5-7

V. sieboldii (Seibold viburnum)
Height and width: 15-20 x 10-15 ft. Flowers: profuse, creamy-white laceca. Bloom time: May. Fruit: apricot to red, heavy clusters; persistent. Comments: large shrub or small tree, green-purple fall foliage, deer-resistan. Zones: 4-8

V. trilobum* (American cranberry bush)
Height and width: 8-12 x 8-12 ft. Flowers: white laceca. Bloom time: May. Fruit: red, edible. Comments: yellow to burgundy fall foliage; makes nice hedge. Zones: 2-7

V. trilobum 'Compactum' (compact American cranberry bush)
Height and width: 4 x 3 ft. Flowers: white lacecap. Bloom time: May. Fruit: yellow to red, persistent. Comments: orange-to-burgundy fall foliage; good for mixed shrub border. Zones: 2-7

V. trilobum 'Wentworth' (Wentworth cranberry bush)
Height and width: 8 x 6 ft. Flowers: white lacecap. Bloom time: May. Fruit: yellow to bright red, persisten. Comments: red fall color; excellent for winter garden. Zones: 2-7