Description

Viburnum "Dawn" (Viburnum x bodnantense) is a lovely deciduous shrub which reaches 3 metres in height and has slightly glossy, deep green, oval leaves that are pale green on the undersides. Before they drop in autumn, they develop intense orange, red and purple tones. The heavily scented flowers, which bloom from autumn to early spring depending on the climate, are bright pink in the bud, open pale pink and fade to white.

Viburnum "Onondaga" (Viburnum sargentii) is an upright deciduous shrub with large 10cm wide, maple like leaves which emerge maroon and turning reddish purple in autumn. Onondaga produces showy, large, individual, deep red, fertile flowers in bud and surrounded by white sterile flowers which contrast well with the purple foliage. They are fully to moderately frost hardy and are remarkably trouble free plants which grow to a height of 3 to 4.5metres tall. It grows well in any adequately drained soil in a sunny or lightly shaded position.

Viburnum "Emerald Luster" (Viburnum odoratissimum) is a fast growing Viburnum which forms a dense, rounded shrub or small tree developing a thick, low branching trunk with age. Emerald Lustre has thick, evergreen, leathery and rounded glossy green leaves 15cm long. During late summer it produces very fragrant star shaped white flowers in conical clusters 10cm across and red berries that mature to black. It is one of the few viburnums to thrive in warm to hot climates but is frost tender. A high quality hedging or screen plant that grows to a height and width of 4.5 to 6 metres.

Viburnum "Rosace" (Viburnum plicatum) is a slow growing Viburnum which is highly desired for its fragrant, lacecap hydrangea like flowers in rich pink to white snowball like blooms and attractive red berries ripening to black. Lovely deciduous shrub with tiered, overlapping, horizontal branches and tinted purple-bronze foliage. They are moderate to fully frost hardy plants growing in any well drained soil in sun or light shade. Suitable for most climates except the tropics, it will grow to a height of up to 4.5m tall with a similar spread.

Cultivation

The choosing of the growing site is most important for best results. Viburnums generally grow well in any adequately light to medium, well drained soil in a full and sunny position. Keep in mind that the more shade they are exposed to, the more straggly they will grow. They require protection from drought.

Plant viburnum as a specimen and leave it to its own devices to become an attractive, evergreen tree that is perfect for small or formal settings. It may also be pruned to be tall but narrow, and used for complete enclosure of patio gardens. When used as a hedge or screen the experts recommend planting this shrub 1.5 m apart (as measured from the centre of each plant). Considerably more space may be left between shrubs when full growth is intended. Do not plant too close to buildings or other structures. They can be trimmed heavily after flowering, although this will prevent fruit forming.