Walton's Plant Library

Description:

A wonderful tall and spreading shrub or tree, with showy clusters of creamy white pinwheel-like flowers in late winter followed by red fruit; very adaptable, makes a great specimen or tall natural screen, will grow quite large

Ornamental Features

Sweet Viburnum features showy creamy white lacecap flowers held atop the branches from late winter to early spring. It has green deciduous foliage. The large serrated oval pinnately compound leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color.

Landscape Attributes

Sweet Viburnum is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, 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 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.

Sweet Viburnum is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Hedges/Screening

Planting & Growing

Sweet Viburnum will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 25 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 4 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 tree 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 not originally from North America.