Viburnums

Viburnums are the most well-known shrub in North America, if not the world. There are viburnums native to the Americas, Canada, Europe, and Asia. It is hard to find a great garden that does not contain at least one favorite viburnum.

Viburnums come in a wide range of sizes, leaf shapes, flower timing and colors, berry shapes and colors, and fall colors. Finding the right species and cultivar for you is easy, just pick what you like. They are all very adaptable, doing well in heavy clays soils as well as in well-drained soils. Many are full sun lovers and others prefer part to full shade. They are all drought tolerant and cold tolerant.

Butterflies can often be seen perusing the flowers of all the species. A few are semi-evergreen, while the rest have good to great fall color. There are some that creep along the ground and others than can reach 15 feet tall! Most can be pruned at any time during the year, while rejuvenation can be done during dormancy for the non-evergreen species.

Some species, such as V. rufidulum, V. lentago, V. trilobum, and V. dentatum have edible berries that both humans and wild animals alike enjoy. Birds can be found making nests in the taller shrubs and enjoying their berries. Some species hold the berries well into the winter, adding interest against the snow.

There is a viburnum for each garden and every gardener.