Numerous viburnum species and cultivars are available commercially, so gardeners have a wide array to choose from in terms of size, foliage, flowers, fruit and flowering season. Here are a few possibilities:
This northeastern U.S. native is a humble understory plant that has unusual maple-shaped leaves with exceptional fall interest, white, flat clusters of spring flowers and black fruit, persisting into winter. With a loose habit that works well at the edge of a property where it will sucker and spread, it is an ecological resource for birds, mammals, bees and caterpillars and a larval host to spring azure butterflies. Shade tolerant.
Native to the Eastern United States and Canada, and closely related to V. nudum, this shrub is large, rounded and dense with attractive, pervasive fruit that changes color as it matures. Fragrant flowers are flat topped and creamy white in late spring to summer. Autumn color is commendable and varied. While this plant can stretch to over 10 feet tall, it may remain smaller in the garden. This is a good plant for soils that can become wet after strong rain. An excellent wildlife resource, offering food and shelter for birds, pollinators and wildlife.
A large, northeast native plant. Glossy leaves, flat white flowers with a musky scent and attractive fruit. Very hardy in our area and tolerates wet soil. Sensitive to pH, preferring some acidity. It is an ecological resource for birds, mammals, bees and caterpillars. ‘Winterthur” is a cultivar with bright red fall color and abundant fruit.
A large, nicely mounded, shrub with a number of worthy compact cultivars. Generously fruiting with large, long-lasting, red drupes; white lacecap flowers, sensational autumn yellow to purple-red color but only marginally suited to USDA zone 7 in New York City, with better performance north in USDA zones 3 to 6. Prefers fertile, moist, soil and a sunny to partly sunny location. A resource and attraction to birds and butterflies and a larval host to the spring azure butterfly. Dense enough to provide some privacy even in winter. Intolerant of drought.
Not a New York State native but native to the contiguous states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut. Flat white flowers in late spring and blue fruit in fall. This plant adds tremendous value to the landscape through its durability and versatility. It is dense and sturdy used in a screening hedge. Prospers in both sandy, coastal soil and damp, woodland borders. Will grow in proximity to black walnut. It is highly deer-resistant and of special support to native bees and bumble bees, a larval host to the spring azure butterfly, and attracts butterflies and birds while supporting small mammals. Can be badly damaged by viburnum leaf beetles (Pyrrhalta viburni).
A hybrid cross of V. fragrans and V. grandiflorum that produces pink-white, fragrant flowers before leafing, from late winter to early spring. The floral display is often over a period of months with just a few flowers present at a time. This plant grows in an upright form and rounds with maturity. Plant in moist soil, full sun to light shade, in a protected position to avoid bud loss from late freezes. Red then black fruit in summer. ‘Dawn’ is a popular cultivar with darker pink flowers and ‘Charles Lamont’ is larger in size and more generously flowering. Hardy in our area..
A hybrid cross of V. carlesii × V. utile, popular for its spicy, scented flowers, hardiness and adaptability. This plant is upright and may be semi-evergreen at the warmest margin of its range. It is a less tidy plant than some viburnum but has outstanding scent. Cultivars may lack fragrance so ask before you buy. 'Mohawk' is a particularly distinguished cultivar with outstanding flower display, graceful habit, lovely, clove scent and resistance to leaf spot. The plant is notable for its pollution and temperature tolerance.
This very popular viburnum is known for its spreading fragrance, dense, rounded habit and smaller size (usually under 6 feet tall and wide). Produces highly scented, white, ball-shaped flowers in spring. Numerous cultivars, including a dwarf variety ‘Compactum’ which is about a foot smaller than the species and 'Aurora' which has larger, more deeply colored inflorescences, are available.
A very large, loose shrub. native to temperate areas of north-central China, that grows up to 10 feet. It is also one of the first deciduous viburnum to flower in the spring (on bare wood). Very fragrant flowers, leaves that finish the season with a purple-red color display and showy fruit. The early flowering comes with the risk of late frost damage, like all early flowering trees and shrubs, and is not a good choice for an exposed position. Use in massed borders.
This V. Carlesii hybrid is another highly scented variety with slightly larger, snowball flowers and hardy in a wider area. It is a large and nicely solid, rounded shrub.
A very large and fast-growing evergreen plant, reaching 10ft.or more. A rounded, dense, bushy habit with glossy leaves and lightly fragrant, large, floral structures. May require some maintenance to keep growth in check. In cold winter areas, the evergreen leaves may be damaged in periods of extended cold weather and a protected position will help to reduce winter damage.
This native of temperate zones in China, Taiwan, Tibet and Mongolia is a large, upright, arching shrub growing moderately fast to 12 feet with spectacular red fruit.
Forms a compact mounded shape with great landscape appeal. Beautiful, evergreen leaves in most of its range but semi-evergreen in USDA 7. Produces white, non-fragrant flowers in spring and attractive, dark blue fruit in the fall. This is a viburnum that particularly needs to be mixed with plants from a variety of sources to fruit.
An old-time favorite and sterile cultivar with large, showy white, pompom flowers that cover the whole plant. Fall color is variable. Adaptable to wet soils and frosty temperature.
Large and very handsome landscaping shrubs with tiers of branches. Doublefile viburnum has pure, white, unscented, flowers in flat, double rows, purple-red fall foliage, and clusters of red-black fruits. There are numerous attractive cultivars of doublefile viburnum and the similar snowball viburnum with widely varied habits. Must have well drained, moist soil as drought is not tolerated.
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