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Jazz legend Duke Ellington would describe people or things that were in a league of their own as 'beyond category'. In the world of shrubs, viburnums have earned the right to be described as such. They are tough, easy to manage, sometimes spectacular plants, that I often describe as the 'Michael Jordans' of my garden.
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 With jobs and family competing with gardening for our precious time, low maintenance, high 'wow-factor' plants are the gardener's holy grail. Flowering shrubs rank high on that list, and viburnums in particular possess the all-around appeal that makes them true garden 'must-haves'. As with Jordan, one is hard pressed to find a real weakness.
With over 150 species worldwide, including many native to North America, the gardener has a full menu of winners from which to choose. Sizes range from a couple of feet to over 25 feet. There are shrub and tree forms, with many leaf shapes and textures available. Some offer incredible fragrance, others impressive fall color and many a bounty of berries in a range of colors. A number offer all three! Most flowers are various shades of white, though a number are pink. They are not picky about soil or moisture, and many will do quite well in shadier areas. They are in a class that I refer to as 'P & W' plants - 'Plant and Watch'.
For those fragrance lovers among us, there are a number of viburnums whose scent can only be described as heavenly.  Most of the fragrant species are Asian varieties, though many fragrant hybrids have been introduced in the U.S. Perhaps the mother of all fragrant viburnums is the Korean spice viburnum (V. carlesii). In the spring, this shrub, which reaches six or more feet tall, will literally fill the entire garden with its spicy sweet fragrance. The flowers, which start pink and fade to white, can be the size of softballs. It can be susceptible to mildew however. Varieties with comparable fragrance, but better mildew resistance include 'Cayuga', introduced by the U.S. National Arboretum, and Judd viburnum (V. juddii). I grow both. 'Cayuga' reaches four to five feet and Judd about six to eight feet tall. For those looking for even smaller fragrant varieties, there is a dwarf Korean spice called 'Compactum', which will top out at about three or four feet tall. I grow another beauty, a Burkwood viburnum called 'Mohawk', which is another USNA introduction. The bright red buds open slowly to reveal the clove-scented white flowers. The entire bud to flower drop period lasts weeks!
Many viburnums are grown for their berries. They are produced in a variety of colors and shades - yellow, red, pink, blue and near black. There are a number that change color as they age. My 'Erie' linden viburnum (V. dilatatum 'Erie') produces berries that ripen from orange-red, to red, and finally to a coral color as fall approaches. My doublefile viburnums, on the  other hand, produce berries that resemble a candy I loved as a kid - Red Hots - in both size and color. Another favorite, V. nudum 'Winterthur', has berries which age from light pink to deep pink to blue, and finally to a near black purple. Even more interesting is that in late summer and early fall, the berries appear in these various colors at the same time! The contrast of the pinks to the purples is stunning.
Though viburnums are monoecious, meaning their flowers have both male and female organs, and thus can pollinate themselves, they don't do a very good job of it. In Nature, pollination usually works better when others are involved! For the best fruit production, good cross-pollination is a must. For this reason, it is best to plant two distinct varieties of a given species. For example, I planted one 'Michael Dodge' linden viburnum to cross-pollinate my three 'Erie'. 'Michael Dodge' gets beautiful yellow berries itself! Check with your nursery or local county extension office to verify that you have the best plant match-ups for maximum fruit production. Not only will you be rewarding yourself with the beauty that berries afford, but you'll also be providing a great food source for birds. The number of birds that frequented my garden jumped dramatically when I added these beauties to my garden.
There are a number of advantages to planting native viburnums. DG's own resident viburnum expert, viburnumvalley, advocates their use since they bring 'the advantage of natural adaptation to the region'. Thus they are already 'tested' in your area and thrive in your local conditions. Additionally, he emphasizes that their use 'would also be supporting the local birds and other wildlife that would normally feed on the fruits'. He suggests a shrub form and a tree form, if one has the space. His favorite shrub type is arrowwood viburnum (V. dentatum). He likes that they are native to many areas of the country, hardy to at least zone 3 and offer nice white flowers in spring. These are followed by blue fruits (assuming good pollination), attractive foliage and a range of fall colors from yellows and oranges through pinks, reds and purples. Sizes range from around five feet to 12 feet tall. I grow a number of these as well, including the popular recent introduction, 'Blue Muffin', which produces lots of shiny blue berries that are bird favorites. One downside to this variety - the flowers stink! The first year I had good flower production, I walked around for days looking for a dead animal I was convinced was rotting in my garden. An eventual sniff of the flower ended the hunt. I now affectionately refer to the plant as 'BM'.
Of course, no plant is absolutely problem-free. Aside from the occasional fungal problem mentioned above, deer do nibble at the foliage. I have a serious deer problem and have to spray all new foliage. Unless you are starting with a puny twig however, deer damage should not threaten the plant's viability. Just remember to keep up with the repellent use.
More serious is the spread of the Viburnum Leaf Beetle (VLB). It is an invasive beetle that is native to Europe and migrated to North America in the early 1900's. It was first identified in Ontario, Canada, in 1947 and in New York State in  1996. Subsequently, it has migrated to ME, NH, VT and parts of PA and OH. In NY, they have been steadily moving south. Still north of my area, I will have to be on the lookout for them. Both the larvae and adults eat the viburnum foliage. Adults chew oblong holes in the leaves, while the larvae, which emerge from eggs that overwinter in the stems of new growth, chew along the leaf veins, leaving a skeletonized leaf in their wake. A number of successive seasons of damage can kill a plant. Pruning and destroying infested twigs after egg lay is the best way to stop the damage. Additionally, pesticides may be needed.
If I had to choose one favorite viburnum, it would probably be the doublefile 'Shasta' (V. plicatum f. tomentosum 'Shasta'), yet another USNA introduction. That botanical name is quite a mouthful for a plant that is a pure delight. It has a very distinctive horizontal habit, resulting in a final size of about six feet high by 10 - 12 feet wide. A true four - season shrub, it is literally covered in white blooms in spring for weeks. Sometimes I cannot even see the foliage from my house. This is followed by the 'Red Hot' berries, which the birds make short work of. The attractive green leaves have very prominent veins. The fall colors are in the bronze to burgundy range. Finally, in winter, one gets to admire the beautifully architectural structure. 
It is difficult to find a more deserving plant for your garden. Plant one, or many, this spring and you will be rewarded in so many ways for years to come. Bring home the queen!
Look for future articles on specific viburnum groups - dwarf, fragrant, fall color, etc.
Photos: 1. Doublefile 'Shasta' 2. 'Mohawk' 3. Sargent 'Onondaga' 4. Linden 'Erie'
5. rhytidophyllum 6. Arrowwood 'Blue Muffin' 7. Doublefile 'Mariesii'
8. Doublefile 'Shasta'
Sources: Thanks to viburnumvalley for his contribution.
U.S. National Arboretum Introductions
Clemson University - General Viburnum Information
Cornell Cooperative Extension - Viburnum Leaf Beetle
Trees & Shrubs Forum Viburnum Discussion
PlantFiles Viburnum Photos
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My background is in engineering, but these days I am a stay at home dad. I have always loved Nature, but had no idea when I bought my house that I would become the gardening fanatic that I have. Gardening both stimulates and relaxes me, appeals to all my senses and gives me the privilege to be part of the Nature I love.
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Subject: I see national horticultural magazines !
Posted by gessiegail (from Taft, TX) on January 13, 2008 at 9:56 PM:Not only is the article very informative, you really have a gift for writing! I simply cannot give you enough praise for this effort!
Thanks for sharing with us.
gail ... Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on January 13, 2008 at 9:57 PM: Thank you so much, Gail. Please don't stop! ... Posted by gessiegail (from Taft, TX) on January 13, 2008 at 9:58 PM: Truly, I think it is the best article to date! Congratulations and contact some magazines that feature horticulture of any kind. ... Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on January 13, 2008 at 10:42 PM: Thank you - I really appreciate your kind words. ...
Subject: thanks!
Posted by Seandor (from Springfield, MA) on January 13, 2008 at 12:23 PM:As you know, I planted my first viburnum last spring . . . Alas it was totally overwhelmed by the size of the datura (who knew an annual could grow soooo big in one year!) But like a little trooper, the Viburnum x burkwoodii 'Mohawk' hung in there. This year, I will make sure it gets enough light.
Your article confirms what I suspected; viburnums are perfect for fragrance gardens :-) ... Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on January 13, 2008 at 12:42 PM: Thank you. Yes, they have some of the nicest fragrances to be found anywhere. ... Posted by LeBug (from Greenville, IN) on January 13, 2008 at 6:56 PM: Thanks Victor this was a really nice informative article I’m just starting to get a few viburnums too but they are from trades so looking for them to grow into nice sized shrubs! ... Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on January 13, 2008 at 8:37 PM: As we reclaim more of our back yard from overgrown underbrush and broken swingsets and holes to China, I would like to put in little accessible 'rooms', so if you'll just drop by to plant it, I think one of the smaller Viburnums sounds perfect! Thank you, Victor.
xx, Carrie ... Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on January 13, 2008 at 8:54 PM: You're welcome, and thanks to both of you! ... Posted by bigcityal (from Menasha, WI) on January 13, 2008 at 9:38 PM: Good article Victor. Viburnums are so diverse it's hard to believe they are all related sometimes. ... Posted by Fitsy (from Hayesville, NC) on January 14, 2008 at 3:48 PM: Thanks very much for sorting out the different
kinds!! I want to get some, and now I can proceed
as tho know what I'm doing!
Fitsy ...
Subject: Love Viburnums!
Posted by rcn48 (from Lexington, VA) on January 13, 2008 at 8:33 AM:Can't believe I'm the first one to post here! Wonderful article and beautiful photos. Our collection of Viburnums will no doubt expand after reading your inspiring article :) ... Posted by grampapa (from Wheatfield, NY) on January 13, 2008 at 9:11 AM: Victor, I loved the articles and the selection of pics. As you know, I'm just getting started with viburnums and need all the information I can get. I currently have an 'Erie' and a 'Michael Dodge' and can't wait for spring for the first flowers. ... Posted by pollyk (from Hannibal, NY) on January 13, 2008 at 9:28 AM: Excellent article! Thanks Victor. ... Posted by debilu (from Fingerlakes Region, NY) on January 13, 2008 at 10:22 AM: Thanks for another great article Victor!
Just when I decide on something else, I have something new to consider. So many plants, so little yard... ... Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on January 13, 2008 at 11:01 AM: Thanks all! Yes, I have found them to be addictive and only wish I had much more space. They give more bang for the buck than just about any plant group. ... Posted by McGlory (from Southeast, NE) on January 13, 2008 at 12:04 PM: Last year I got a CD catalog with all kinds of pics and info from a viburnum place in rural Nebraska. The name of the nursery is escaping me now ~ you probably know it. Have never been able to decide on which one(s) to get. Your article will help though. Thanks for the all the info contained in your great article! ... Posted by AYankeeCat (from Bridgeport, CT) on January 13, 2008 at 12:15 PM: Oh - now I want them and I'm out of room! Fun article, thanks. ... Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on January 13, 2008 at 12:41 PM: Thanks!
Lori - I've gotten most of mine from Fairweather Gardens, a few from a nursery in CT, and a few smaller, but nice ones from Garden Crossings. ... Posted by McGlory (from Southeast, NE) on January 13, 2008 at 12:58 PM: I found it! Classic Viburnums in Upland, Nebraska. ... Posted by pirl (from Southold, NY) on January 13, 2008 at 1:46 PM: Great article, Victor. I'm sending it to my daughter and SIL. They both love the Viburnums.
Thanks! ... Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on January 13, 2008 at 3:28 PM: Excellent article, Victor, thank you. ... Posted by Sofonisba (from Putnam County, NY) on January 13, 2008 at 3:50 PM: Fantastic article Victor!!!!! Soon my yard will be stuffed with viburnums and evergreens thanks to your inspiration.
Harper ... Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on January 13, 2008 at 5:21 PM: Thank you ladies! ... Posted by Islandshari (from Kwajalein
(Marshall Islands)) on January 13, 2008 at 5:44 PM: The pictures were wonderful, Victor...and I really enjoyed the article. When you say this is a 4 season plant, do you know if it will do well in a two season environment? I'm always looking for something new to plant on the island.
Thanks again!
Shari ... Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on January 13, 2008 at 6:44 PM: Thank you Shari. If you mean in your zone 11, sorry to disappoint. Most, if not all, cannot grow in zones warmer than zone 8. ... Posted by Todd_Boland (from St. John's, NL) on January 13, 2008 at 7:11 PM: Great article. I grow a few Viburnums but I am plaqued by the Viburnum Leaf Beetle. I'm surprised they made it to Newfoundland but I expect they came on infected viburnums from Ontario (our main supplier of trees and shrubs). I have lost my V. trilobum and opulus. Thankfully bodnantense is unaffected and I have kept them under control on the various fragrant snowballs. Breaks my heart that we are loosing our native viburnums to the leaf beetle too! :( ... Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on January 13, 2008 at 8:56 PM: Thanks Todd. What a shame. We're on watch for it in this region. ... Posted by sanannie (from White Lake, ON) on January 14, 2008 at 2:25 PM: We've got that darn beetle here (Ottawa area) and I lost 3 Viburnums a few years ago. They skeletonize the leaves and the shrubs end up looking awful. I had tried insecticidal soap as well as neem oil but neither worked. It wasn't a breeze having to spray three 12' shrubs and I sure did not relish the thought of spraying pesticides every year, so they sadly departed. I like your articles, Victor, because you show the whole picture. And this one reminded me how much I miss the shrubs.
One bright note is that my Viburnum dentatum gets minimal damage, so I still enjoy that.
Sandy ... Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on January 14, 2008 at 2:29 PM: Thank you Sandy and I am sorry you have that blasted bug. I am dreading the day they arrive here. Did you hit them early with the neem and soap or did you discover them after lots of damage? After how many seasons did they perish? What a shame. Glad to hear about the dentatums. There are some nice ones.
Victor ... Posted by sanannie (from White Lake, ON) on January 14, 2008 at 2:37 PM: I tried various times and treatments according to info I found on the web. They also claim you can prune out the egg casings along the stems, but mine were too far along at that point because it was about 3 years until I discovered what was wrong. Then another 3 years fighting it.
I think if you are on the lookout for them, that is very wise.
Sandy ... Posted by bobwhite1 (from Hope Mills, NC) on January 14, 2008 at 2:41 PM: Victorgardener, about 10 years ago I planted what was represented to be a Carolina or Eastern snowball Viburnum. I was actually in the market for a Viburnum macrocephalum 'Chinese Snowball' but, after a extentive search with no success I settled for what I now believe to be a Viburnum opulus 'European Cranberrybush Viburmum' or at least a cultivar. I'm including a photo of the leaves that may help to identify it. I believe they match the leaf drawing I researched it the Dirr Manual of Woody Landscape Plants for the Viburnum opulus. The habit matches and it does produce berries in the fall. Now for my problem, the bush thrived for all theses years and was a great speciman until last year. The leaves and blooms returned in the spring, but then in late August they began to dry up, shrivel and die. I pruned out the dead branches, cleaned out from around the base and replaced the mulch but the bush continued to dry out no matter what I did. There was no sign of insect damage or disease present. There is still life left in it as you can see from the leaves in the photo. Any suggestions or should I just chalk it up to 8 good years and pull it out and start over with another viburmum. TIA Bob ... Posted by bobwhite1 (from Hope Mills, NC) on January 14, 2008 at 2:42 PM: Sorry about no photos, but the thread didn't have a way of sending them. ... Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on January 14, 2008 at 2:55 PM: I just dmailed you, Bob. Maybe you can do a photo that way.
Thanks Sandy. Must have been very frustrating. ... Posted by bobwhite1 (from Hope Mills, NC) on January 14, 2008 at 4:25 PM: I sent you the Dmail with the photo Victor ...
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