Walton's Plant Library
 
shrub

Walter's Viburnum

Viburnum obovatum

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Walter's Viburnum (Viburnum obovatum) at Walton's Garden Center

Walter's Viburnum

Walter's Viburnum

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Walter's Viburnum (Viburnum obovatum) at Walton's Garden Center

Walter's Viburnum foliage

Walter's Viburnum foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  19 feet

Spread:  15 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  7b

Other Names:  Small Leaf Arrowwood

Description:

A wonderful tall and spreading shrub, with showy clusters of snowy white lacecap flowers in early spring followed by blue-black fruit in summer; adaptable, makes a great specimen or tall natural screen, will grow quite large

Ornamental Features

Walter's Viburnum is blanketed in stunning lightly-scented white lacecap tubular flowers with buttery yellow throats held atop the branches from late winter to early spring. The black fruits are held in abundance in spectacular clusters in mid summer. It has dark green evergreen foliage. The small glossy oval leaves remain dark green throughout the winter. The smooth gray bark and brick red branches add an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Walter's Viburnum is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds and butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Walter's Viburnum is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • Hedges/Screening

Planting & Growing

Walter's Viburnum will grow to be about 19 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is native to parts of North America.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Accent  Massing  Screening 
Applications
Flowers  Fruit  Bark  Winter Value  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features