Growing Viburnum: Versatile Shrubs for Four-Season Interest

Overview

Viburnum (pronounced vye-burr'-num) offers an incredible range of attractive, useful shrubs—profuse blooms, handsome foliage, colorful fruits, and brilliant fall color. Growth habits vary by species:

• V. carlesii (Korean Spice Viburnum) and V. opulus (European Cranberry Bush): round-topped, fairly dense.
• V. dentatum (Arrowwood Viburnum): large with spreading branches.
• V. plicatum tomentosum (Doublefile Viburnum): tiers of horizontal branches.
• V. trilobum (American Cranberry Bush): upright varieties.

Culture

• Light: Full sun; partial shade in the South and warm inland West.
• Soil: Rich, well-drained, evenly moist, slightly acidic.
• Water: Does not tolerate drought well.
• Spacing: 5–8 feet apart, depending on variety.

Growth and Bloom

Plants usually need 3–5 years to start blooming and fruiting. Medium growth rate of 12–24 inches per year.

Suggested Uses

Screening, informal hedges, native plantings, or mixed perennial and shrub borders.

Pruning

Prune as necessary after spring bloom. Note that pruning reduces fruit production on V. trilobum varieties.