Viburnum varieties are abundant and include trees and shrubs that grow in a moderate climate. The Adoxaceae family consists of beautiful white flower shrubs that will add a serene touch to your landscapes and gardens.
Viburnum shrubs are ones that any gardeners value these plants for their beautiful white flowers, which would ideally grow in zones two to nine. An interesting fact about Adoxaceae is that some plants are edible while others are poisonous.
Contents
List of Unique Viburnum Varieties
1. Doublefile Viburnum
Doublefile Viburnum is one of the most famous species of viburnum, and the reason is no secret. This specie presents a welcoming sight at the arrival of spring with its abundant white flowers. These flowers put on a beautiful display as they grow in large numbers all over the branches of the plant.
– Features
The flowers are not only abundant but dazzling as well, resulting in one of the most visually appealing members of the Adoxaceae family. This visual appeal makes doublefile viburnum an ideal candidate for gardens and landscaping enthusiasts.
The plant mainly grows in a horizontal direction, with branches spreading out horizontally to about a maximum of 15 feet. The height of this plant reaches about 12 feet. The leaves of this species are deciduous, and the symmetry of these leaves is the reason for its name.
Doublefile gets its name because of how the leaves grow on the branches. They are in perfect symmetry with each other, growing precisely opposite to one another along the stem. The branches divide these leaf pairs perfectly in the middle. The vibrant look of the flowers and the symmetrical appeal of the leaves make it the perfect choice for plant lovers.
Other than the appeal they bring to any location, double-file also has other advantages. These shrubs face almost no diseases and pest problems and require moderate light and water conditions. This makes double-file viburnum very low-maintenance plants. All these features combine and make double-file the perfect flowering plant for your garden.
– Growth Conditions
Doublefile viburnum grows in Hardiness Zones five to eight, where the soil should be moist, which means you must irrigate it properly, and provide it with a soil that is neutral to slightly acidic.
2. Burkwood Viburnum
Burkwood Viburnum or viburnum x burkwoodii is a hybrid species in the Adoxaceae family that is low maintenance and grows in many different environments. The plant has multiple stems, and it grows in a very dense manner. This causes the plant to be deformed in a non-symmetrical geometry.
– Features
Due to this tangled growth, it is a good idea to use this plant as a fence around other plants in your garden. It can be a good shrub border for other viburnum species in your landscapes, or you can also use this specie as a privacy fence.
It is able to reaches a height of 10 feet and a spread of about seven feet. Not only that, but it has small white flowers with a tint of pink in them, which would grow densely.
Like many other viburnum species, burkwood produces clusters of white flowers that are very fragrant. The scent is so strong that it can oftentimes take over the entire garden. This adds another level of uniqueness to this plant.
In addition to this strong scent, the leaves are another strong feature of this plant. The leaves are dark green with a lustrous texture. But this appearance only prevails during the growing season.
During the fall, they take on a different appearance. They turn red with yellow veins.Thus, no matter the season, burkwood will always have its unique appearance that will make it stand out in your garden.
– Growth Conditions
Burkwood viburnum grows in hardiness zones four to eight, when it is under full shades of light or even parietal ones, it will thrive. Furthermore, you must provide it with a soil that has proper moisture, and remember to water it moderately to see it grow and establish.
3. Arrowwood Viburnum
Arrowood viburnum or the viburnum dentatum is a hardy specie of viburnum that is medium-sized with dense growth. The plant grows in an upright manner with a round form. The form becomes more prominent as the plant grows. This a flexible plant that can grow in different environments and weather conditions, making it a good option for many areas around the globe.
– Features
As the arrowwood viburnum matures, it can spread with suckering, and it can grow to 10 feet both in its spread and height. As the plant spreads, the flower clusters are not the only thing that changes appearance and growth habits, it also clusters of small, abundant white flowers.
The branches also undergo changes. They start with a strict growth habit which changes as the plant matures. The branches are straight initially but become more arching as they grow.
Arrowwood viburnum is a less-showy member of the otherwise vibrant family of flowering shrubs. It does not mean that the beautiful white flowers are lackluster, but compared to other species, they tend to be simpler. The flowers are visually appealing but are less striking when compared to other members of the family.
An interesting fact about this plant is related to its name. As the name arrowwood suggests, this has been used to make arrows. This is because the stems of these plants are very straight in shape.
– Growth Conditions
This variety of viburnum is able to grows in hardiness zones two all the way through eight, thriving in direct and indirect sun reaching to it by having a neutral to acidic soil. Furthermore, you should water it well, every week to ten days, making sure the soil is left moist.
4. David Viburnum
David viburnum is a unique member of the Adoxaceae family due to some features that are not common in other viburnum varieties, hence it is called the Viburnum Davidii. One of these features is the fact that David viburnum can be deciduous as well as evergreen. The green-blue leaves mostly remain throughout the year, but in some northern regions, they fall at the start of winter.
– Features
The flower cluster is a smaller size as well. The plant produces a small, dense, and round-shaped flowering group, which has blue-green leaves with a small cluster of pink-white flowers
This cluster rarely ever exceeds a height of tree feet. David viburnum is native to western China and is thus also known as Jesuit Missionary. This plant prefers a warm climate and can have problems like leaf scorch, however it will grow up to three feet in height with a spread of four feet.
The plant undergoes many changes in its growth cycles, providing an exciting range of colors and textures. The flowers start off as tiny pink buds. When they bloom, they turn into white flowers. The fruits on this plant are also easily visible. They start as green, turn to pink through the season, and eventually turn teal. These fruits persist through the winter season.
– Growth Conditions
David viburnum grows in hardiness zones seven, all through zone nine, in the partial light, making sure that it is not the heavy kind of light which would reach it. As for its soil conditions, it should be slightly acidic, yet more neutral; however, most importantly, make sure that you do not water it excessively or else, the roots will not tolerate the wet ecology, hence keep it moist instead.
5. Mapleleaf Viburnum
Mapleleaf viburnum or the Viburnum Acerfolium is a specie that has large leaves and small white flowers at the end. The leaves of this species are almost identical to the leaves of the red maple tree. They not only share the shape but also wear the same colors during their growth cycle. The leaves of the mapleleaf viburnum are deciduous.
– Features
Mapleleaf viburnum is a native of the Eastern regions of the USA. The plant grows with large loose branches and can spread via suckering. The flowers grow at the ends of these large branches, as it will grow a height of six feet just as it will spread to four feet wide.
The flowers and fruit follow each other in cycles during the summer and winter seasons. Flowers die in early summer and make way for the fruit to grow. The fruit of mapleleaf viburnum looks like small berries. This fruit then dies in early winter and makes way for the flowers to bloom and get the limelight.
Mapleleaf is prominently more resistant to shady conditions than other species, thus giving them more options for growth. It is a very good option for naturalization-focused landscapes. Shrubs are a great way to keep a year-long interest in your garden but be wary of mapleleaf viburnum as it can grow rapidly.
– Growth Conditions
The Mapleleaf viburnum grows in hardiness zones three to eight as it is the idal place to grow them, furthermore, you must remember that the sun that they need can be full or even partially coming to them. In addition, the soil should be one that is moist, fertile and even neutral in its pH.
However, remember to irrigate it properly but don’t leave the soil very wet, or else the roots will get harmed. This viburnum species can spread vigorously in the wild if it finds the ideal conditions.
6. Koreanspice Viburnum
Koreanspice Viburnum is a specie of viburnum with fragrant flowers. The flowers start from dark red buds that bloom into white flowers in a cluster that looks like a half sphere. As the name suggests, koreanspice viburnum is native to Korea, but in botany they are known as the Viburnum Carlesii.
– Features
The flowers of this specie initially have a light pink color that eventually turns white. This transition from a dark color to pure white keeps a year-long interest in your garden. When the flowers die, a round-shaped fruit takes its place. The leaves of this plant are dull green and slightly broad.
The leaves can sometimes take on a red hue during the fall season, but this is not a consistent phenomenon. Throughout the plant’s lifecycle, the leaves have small hair on them, covering both the top and bottom sides. Sometimes, koreanspice plants produce powdery mildew, but this is not frequent.
Overall, this plant would grow to a height of six feet tall however, it would spread to seven feet, as the leaves would become more broad and the flowers would be in a semicircular shape. As for the flowers, they would grow from dark red buds into small pink flowers, eventually turning white.
A foundation bed is an excellent option for the growth of this plant. For idea growth, pruning the koreanspice is a good idea. But wait until after the flowers die to prune your plant.
– Growth Conditions
- Koreanspice viburnum grows in hardiness zones 4-7.
- It can thrive in full sun and partial shade.
- It can grow in acidic and alkaline soils.
- It prefers a moist environment for ideal growth.
7. Small-leaf Viburnum
Small lead viburnum is a specie with a somewhat misleading name, on the same note, scientifically it is called the Viburnum Obovatum. This name comes from the tiny leaves of the plant, but the shrub itself is pretty extensive, growing up to 12 feet in size.
It is also one of the rare species of viburnum that are not deciduous but evergreen. Thus, they provide yearly interest to any place you plant them in.
– Features
The leaves of the small-leaf viburnum are dark green in color and grow opposite to each other, introducing symmetry in the plant. Unlike other members of the Adoxaceae family, the leaves of this plant do not have serration. The plant has twig-like branches and abundant flowers.
The flowers are so abundant that they cover most of the shrub. On top of this, small-leaf viburnum is one of the earliest blooming plants in this family of shrubs, the latter you would start seeing when the spring season arrives.
The flowers are white, like most other viburnum plants. There are some scenarios where these leaves can be deciduous, and leaves turn purple if this happens.
– Growth Conditions
Small-leaf viburnum grows best when it is located in the hardiness zones six to nine, and it would foresee both full and direct sun, or even partial shades, either way it fine.
On the other hand, make sure that the soil is a well draining one, which is going to keep the soil moist but water is not going to sit underneath it and get clogged, as the soil should be acidic slightly and almost neutral.
8. European Cranberrybush
European cranberrybush is a specie of viburnum that looks like the mapleleaf viburnum, in botany, this plant is found or called by Viburnum Opulus. This leads to many people mistaking it for a mapleleaf viburnum. This is a European native plant deemed invasive by the authorities in the USA. So, it is advised to be wary of this invasive shrub.
This viburnum plant has immense adaptability and can grow in different conditions, soils, and climates. This is the reason why it is so widely increasing in the eastern USA. It also grows so quickly that it overshadows many native plants in those regions.
– Features
The shrub is also substantial in size growing up to 15 feet. The plant grows in a rounded shape and has edible fruit. This is the first plant on our list that produces edible fruit. The fruit looks like a cranberry, but it is not related to that fruit. This is another reason you might mistake this plant for another.
This plant is considered destructive for the local plants in the US and Canada. So, considering alternatives is a good idea if you are looking for a viburnum plant in your garden. And if you like the look of the plant, consider planting mapleleaf viburnum, as they look very similar.
The fruits look like cranberries which is the reason for their common name. Although the fruit is edible, it does not have the best taste. Even when the fruit is freshly picked, it has a bitter taste.
– Growth Conditions
Note that when you are growing this plant, it would ideally thrive when it is placed in the hardiness zones three to eight, and in these zones, it must be subjected to full or partial shades of sun.
Moreover, note that the soil should be acidic yet alkaline as well, which is easy to maintain, and by the same token, the plant would prefer a medium moisture and moderate water for ideal growth.
9. Blackhaw Viburnum
Blackhaw viburnum is another large shrub with multiple stems and deciduous nature, which is known as the viburnum prunifolium. It does not grow in any defined shape. One advantage of this species is that the fruit is edible, and unlike the European cranberrybush, its fruit is tasty when freshly picked. These tiny black drupes can be used in jams as well.
– Features
Blackhaw has clusters of cream-colored flowers that grow before the fruit shows up. The flowers then wither away in September to make way for the fruit. Thus, this plant is a source of beauty to your garden or indoor decorations and provides tasty fruits when the flowers fall off.
This variety of viburnum tree is one that grows abundantly in the wilds of eastern and central US states. They are primarily present in the woodland or on the riverbanks. It is an excellent option for any garden and can also be used as an indoor decoration.
Blackhaw is a large plant that grows up to 15 feet, and when it thrives, multiple stems will start to grow and shoot all having different irregular shapes throughout their establishment and maturation. Furthermore, the cream colored flowers will begin to cluster and slowly they will even spring up some fruit which are edible and are black in color.
– Growth Conditions
This viburnum grows in hardiness zones of three all the way through nine, furthermore, it will thrive and reach its full potential when placed under full to partial shades of sun. In addition to this, it will grow in soils that are slightly acidic, to almost neutral.
On the same note, remember that the soil must be kept moist, as you would have to moderately water it, however, be keen not to water it excessively.
10. Japanese Viburnum
Japanese viburnum has dark green leaves, and scientifically it is called the Viburnum Japonicum. The plant is evergreen; thus, it is an excellent option if you are looking for a year-long shrub, as its leaves also have no serration. The plant is very dense because of its foliage and its growth habit. These characteristics make it a splendid option for a privacy screen.
– Features
What you must also remember is that this plant is medium-sized, growing up to eight feet in height and spread, and that is the specification of this variety. In addition, as it starts to establish its roots, you will start to see white flower clusters grow on the plant, as the leaves would become darker green with an evergreen nature.
– Growth Conditions
Japanese viburnum likes to grow in warmer regions. It has little tolerance to cold climates, so if you plan on planting it in colder areas, it will require winter protection to thrive. Generally, it is better to grow it in warm regions.
On the other hand, it can adapt to various amounts of sun exposure without harming the leaves. This is the advantage it has over different viburnum varieties. Not only can it tolerate the sun, but there are also times it can withstand and grow in full shade.
This variety of the Viburnum is one that would grow and thrive in the zones of seven to nine. Furthermore, it also needs a type of soil that is on the verge of slightly acidic yet neutral at the same time, however, you must remember to water it ever once a week and on hot days twice a week, as long as you keep the medium moist, it will thrive.
11. Hobblebush
Hobblebush is one of the most unique members of the viburnum family, which is also called the Viburnum Lantanoides. The first feature is its flowers and how they would bloom surrounding the beautiful green foliage.
– Features
These flowers are developed in two different sizes. Clusters of tiny flowers group together and make a flat shape, and larger white flowers surround this shape. The white flowers make a ring around the small flowers, giving them a unique appearance.
The flowers are not the only unique thing about this specie, the plant bears deep-red fruits that are small and oval-shaped. These fruits have medicinal properties.
Another unique feature of this plant is its branches. The branches dangle, grow upward, and then drop back toward the ground. When they touch the ground, they take root there.
Hobblebush benefits us with its fruit and appeal and supports the local wildlife as they consume different parts of this shrub. All these advantages make hobblebush an intriguing choice for any garden.
– Characteristics
The key characteristic that this plant has is how it is large, and it will be growing up to 12 feet in spread and height. Not only this, but also consider how the flowers grow in different sizes that make a unique combination with each other.
The plant has medicinal fruits which would be very helpful because it has a healing property of breathing issues, on the other hand, the dangling branches can create a tripping hazard.
– Growth Conditions
Hobblebush viburnum grows in hardiness zones of seven to nine, as it would be able to reach its full potential when it is placed in full sun or full shade, as it can tolerate both. In addition, having an acidic soil is great for its growth, and make sure that the soil is kept moist, but don’t over water it, as it would be harmful.
Conclusion
Viburnum varieties include over 200 species of flowering plants. All these plants have some unique and critical features of the Adoxaceae family. The following are some key features of this plant family:
- Viburnum plants are mostly shrubs that produce clusters of white flowers.
- Most of the plants are deciduous, but there are also evergreen species.
- Viburnum species are primarily deciduous, which means that cross-pollination with another species of the same family is required.
- Most grow in almost all climates, but some species need specific weather conditions to thrive.
Which one of these beautiful viburnum varieties are you going to plant in your garden?
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