Landscape Bulletin #4 - Holden Arboretum · unpleasant odors (comparable to smelly shoes). In...
2
Landscape Bulletin #4 Viburnums Mean Variety W hat exactly are viburnums? Classified as shrubs, these 225 species are some of the most adapt- able plants found in the landscape. The name viburnum means “wayfaring tree” in Latin, and it is possible that this referred to the ready way viburnums have of spreading their seeds—usually as a result of birds dis- persing the fruits. Natives of the Eastern United States and the coordinating latitude throughout Asia, viburnums range from decid- uous to the less hardy, semi-evergreen and evergreen species. Wonderful in landscap- ing, they are easy to grow, maintenance-free shrubs that will tolerate various soils and weather conditions. What, then, makes them different from other shrubs grown today? The key word is variety. Because the species and cultivars are so numerous, there is a wide assortment to choose from, whether you’re looking for fragrance, color, size or even wildlife value. And what’s great about viburnums is that most of them offer three seasons of pleasure during the year: showy, delicate blossoms in the spring, lustrous green leaves throughout the summer, and pretty color change of foliage and fruits during the fall months. The flower clusters are generally white, some with a creamy yellow or pink cast, and they vary in shape from round to flat-topped. Some varieties produce sterile flowers while others result in beautiful, bird-attracting berries. The blooms also range in fragrance from the spiciest perfume to some rather unpleasant odors (comparable to smelly shoes). In autumn, the leaves of many viburnums change from a vivid green to a variety of col- ors. The fruits also make a rainbow display, showing black to the brightest crimson, from combinations of green to red to blue-black. Birds of all kinds relish the fruits during fall months, so these versatile shrubs are often favorites of bird-lovers. With so many different options, you’re sure to find the viburnum just right for what- ever space you have available in your gar- den. See the backside of this bulletin for the species and cultivars we recommend, and for suggestions on how to choose the viburnum that’s perfect for you. How To Choose The Right Viburnum For You... There are many viburnums to choose from. But sometimes with so many options, it’s difficult to make a decision. So here are some simple steps you can use in deciding which viburnum is right for you. First, your choice must be dependent upon the space you have available in your landscape. Viburnums range in size from small and medium to large shrub and tree forms. So before buy- ing one, make sure you ask the nursery what the ultimate size and growth rate is for each viburnum considered. “A garden without a viburnum is akin to life without music or art.” Michael A. Dirr
Transcript of Landscape Bulletin #4 - Holden Arboretum · unpleasant odors (comparable to smelly shoes). In...
Landscape Bulletin #4
Viburnums Mean Variety
What exactly are viburnums?Classi�ed as shrubs, these 225species are some of the most adapt-
able plants found in the landscape. Thename viburnum means “wayfaring tree” inLatin, and it is possible that this referred tothe ready way viburnums have of spreadingtheir seeds—usually as a result of birds dis-persing the fruits. Natives of the EasternUnited States and the coordinating latitudethroughout Asia, viburnums range from decid-uous to the less hardy, semi-evergreen andevergreen species. Wonderful in landscap-ing, they are easy to grow, maintenance-freeshrubs that will tolerate various soils andweather conditions.
What, then, makes them di�erent fromother shrubs grown today? The key word isvariety. Because the species and cultivarsare so numerous, there is a wide assortmentto choose from, whether you’re looking forfragrance, color, size or even wildlife value.And what’s great about viburnums is thatmost of them o�er three seasons of pleasureduring the year: showy, delicate blossoms inthe spring, lustrous green leaves throughoutthe summer, and pretty color change offoliage and fruits during the fall months.
The �ower clusters are generally white,some with a creamy yellow or pink cast, andthey vary in shape from round to �at-topped.Some varieties produce sterile �owers whileothers result in beautiful, bird-attractingberries. The blooms also range in fragrancefrom the spiciest perfume to some ratherunpleasant odors (comparable to smellyshoes).
In autumn, the leaves of many viburnums
change from a vivid green to a variety of col-ors. The fruits also make a rainbow display,showing black to the brightest crimson, fromcombinations of green to red to blue-black.Birds of all kinds relish the fruits during fallmonths, so these versatile shrubs are oftenfavorites of bird-lovers.
With so many di�erent options, you’resure to �nd the viburnum just right for what-ever space you have available in your gar-den. See the backside of this bulletin for thespecies and cultivars we recommend, and forsuggestions on how to choose the viburnumthat’s perfect for you.
How To Choose The Right Viburnum For You...
There are many viburnums to choosefrom. But sometimes with so many options,it’s di�cult to make a decision. So here aresome simple steps you can use in decidingwhich viburnum is right for you.
First, your choice must be dependentupon the space you have available in yourlandscape. Viburnums range in size fromsmall and medium to largeshrub and tree forms.So before buy-ing one,make sureyou ask thenursery whatthe ultimatesize andgrowth rate is foreach viburnumconsidered.
“A garden without a viburnum is akin to life without music or art.”Michael A. Dirr
9500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, Ohio 44094-5172 / 440.946.4400 / fax 440.602.3857 / [email protected] / www.holdenarb.org
Copyright © 2003 by The Holden Arboretum. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. No part of this bulletin may be used or reproduced in any manner without written consent. HAED2003
Another important factor is the cultural require-ments. While these shrubs are fairly adaptable, itis necessary to match each species with its naturalgrowing conditions. Most deciduous viburnumsare hardy in the northeast and midwest, and thereare some semi-evergreen varieties that do nicelyhere as well. The evergreens are mostly found inthe southern part of the United States, and are notrecommended for growth in this area.
Once these basic factors have been estab-lished, the selection is narrowed down to smalldetails. Do you prefer the round blossoms to theflat-topped ones? Do you want the sterile or fruit-bearing variety? What fruit colors do you find themost pleasing? Do you want a fragrant one or canyou tolerate one with an unpleasant odor?Whatever you decide, there is no wrong answer tothese questions, and your yard will be better forthe viburnum you have planted.
ReferencesDirr, Michael A. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics,
Culture, Propagation and Uses. 5th ed. Champaign, IL, Stipes Publishing Co., 1998.
Flint, Harrison L. Landscape Plants for Eastern North America. New York, John Wiley & Sons, 1997.
Gates, Galen, Chris Graham and Ethan Johnson. Shrubs and Vines. New York, Knopf, 1994.
Kenyon, Lloyd. Viburnum. Woking, Surrey, England: National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens, 2001.
