Planters' Choice Weekly Picks!


Viburnums are shrubs that have so much to offer our landscapes. These medium to large-sized, flowering shrubs can be used effectively as accent, foundation and specimen plants for spring interest and all the way through fall. The fragrant varieties can be incorporated into foundation plantings giving off a great sweet scent for weeks. In the mixed border their diverse habits are perfect for providing structure, interesting flowers, and a spot to underplant early spring bulbs. Just a small number can be planted in front of unwanted views for a natural looking screen, and our native Viburnum are just what birds and animals want back in their woods and wetlands. From their emerging leaves and clean, long-lasting flowers in spring to some beautiful fall color, they have a lot to contribute throughout the seasons. However, this time of year you have to love the fruit! Watch them change colors from green to pink and orange, to red or blue and black. This year they seem particularly abundant and easy to spot from a distance, especially here in the nursery. Most Viburnum will produce nice clusters of fruit called drupes. By planting more than one for cross-pollination you will increase your chances of good fruit set for the years to come. Some Viburnum fruit are edible, like American Cranberry (V. trilobum) and Blackhaw Viburnum (V. prunifolium), and the others are largely consumed by birds. The fruit on the Doublefile Viburnums (V. plicatum var. tomentosum 'Mariesii', 'Shasta', 'Watanabe' and others) are usually one of the first to ripen and are quickly eaten. Wayfaringtree Viburnum (V. lantana) has many colors to the fruiting cluster, often at one time, and persistent especially on 'Mohican'. Arrowwood Viburnum (V. dentatum) are a favorite of fruit-eating Robins and Bluebirds. Witherod Viburnum (V. cassinoides) is an underused plant for naturalizing, the fruit is abundant, turning all colors before turning black. Sargent Viburnum 'Onondaga' (V. sargentii) has sparse fruit set from the flat-topped maroon and cream flowers. Finally, Leatherleaf Viburnum (V. rhytidophyllum) with it's semi-evergreen leaves has red fruit ripening to black. So, if you are looking to enhance the fall garden, now's the time to come pick out your favorite Viburnums! Check out the chart in our catalog (pg. 86) for fruit color, plant size, fragrance and more. Then look at all the Planters' Choice Grown Viburnum. It'll be hard to choose! Viburnum key: A. Viburnum rhytidophyllum (Leatherleaf viburnum), B. V. trilobum 'Wentworth' (American Cranberry), C. V. prunifolium (Blackhaw), D. V. lantana 'Mohican' (Wayfaringtree Viburnum), E. V. dentatum (Arrowwood Viburnum), F. V. plicatum tomentosa 'Shasta' (Doublefile Viburnum), G. V. sargentii 'Onondaga' (Sargent Viburnum), and H. V. cassinoides (Witherod Viburnum).