Vivacious Viburnums
If someone were to ask me to pick one shrub that is a must-have in the garden and the most multi-purpose, it would have to be a viburnum. Viburnums are a group of plants that include over 150 species.
The most obvious one to choose for our area is the arrowwood viburnum or Viburnum dentatum. This native, deciduous shrub has opposite, simple leaves with toothed edges. Their bluish fruit are known as drupes, a single seed surrounded by a fleshy layer. The arrowwood viburnum is known for its straight stems that historically were used for arrow shafts by Native Americans.
Arrowwood viburnum blooms in spring (great for pollinators) and provides lovely three-season interest to your gardens. Their summer fruit is attractive as well, and the fall color can be a mix of yellow, orange, red, or purple. Recent data suggest that this viburnum is superior for providing nutrient-rich food for migrating birds. This makes the arrowwood viburnum the best multi-purpose shrub in the landscape, especially since we live in the Atlantic Flyway, a literal highway for migrating birds. Some birds even use it for protection and nesting. In addition, caterpillars of several species of butterfly and moths enjoy this viburnum.
When placing arrowwood viburnum in the garden, keep in mind that they like full-sun to partial-shade, and prefer moist to wet soils. They grow rather fast and can reach up to 10 feet in the right conditions. Arrowwood viburnum can be pruned to keep its shape, and there are multiple cultivars available, like “Blue Muffin,” which are advertised as a more compact specimens.
Some species of viburnum have wonderful smelling flowers, such as the Korean spice viburnum or Viburnum carlesii. This viburnum has large clusters of pinkish flowers that have a wonderful spicy scent. They produce red drupes that turn blackish in autumn. They also have an attractive red-purple coloring in the fall that lends itself to being another three-season shrub.
Plant Korean spice viburnum near places that you and your visitors frequently walk by or relax in, so you can enjoy the aroma wafting in the springtime air. They like full-sun to partial-shade and can reach an average of six feet in height; they are slow-growing compared to other viburnums. This viburnum does not like wet soils, so keep it in a well-drained area.
Let’s end with evergreen viburnum, which are not as common as the deciduous species. The leatherleaf viburnum, or Viburnum rhytidophyllum, is a large shrub that has very coarse, leathery leaves. They have a bluish-green color and are deeply veined. If we experience long periods of temperatures below 32 degrees, they tend to droop and look sad, but they should bounce back the following growing season.
Leatherleaf viburnum blooms in spring with fragrant white flowers producing bluish drupes that turn black in fall. They can tolerate shade, but bloom best in full sun. This viburnum can grow rather large if given the opportunity—up to 15 feet tall and wide.
Place these viburnums in places that call for a visual screen or buffer. A side yard next to a nosey neighbor, or around structures that you want to mask—like trash bins or pool equipment sheds. They also take well to pruning if they seem to be getting out of hand.
I encourage you to try your hand at growing viburnums. This multi-purpose shrub can add interest to your gardens for three seasons out of the year. And you’ll be providing much-needed habitat and food resources for our native pollinators and wildlife, not to mention enjoying the special qualities of these vivacious viburnums yourself.
Be well, and let’s garden together. ▼
Eric W. Wahl is Landscape Architect at Pennoni Associates, and President of the Delaware Native Plant Society.