The Whispering Crane Institute

Summer Snowballs, the Viburnum

posted, 08/23/06


If you like-love Viburnums you gotta love this one. I was driving home from an appointment and ran across this beauty in a real small Ohio town, it looks great doesn’t it.

People are always asking me about small trees, I want small trees. Well here you go there are several Viburnums that go over 10.0′ feet in height including

  1. Viburnum sieboldi ‘Seneca’
  2. Viburnum x rhytidophylloides ‘Allegheny’
  3. Viburnum prunifolium
  4. Viburnum lentago
  5. Viburnum d. ‘Autumn Jazz’

So look into this set of woodies you won’t be disappointed, as for the professionals we don’t use Viburnums enough either and I can’t explain why. Spring/summer color, good strong foliage, heavy fruiters, and usually good fall foliage. I just don’t get it. I myself am a big culprit and today has reminded me again of the fact that every yard should have some Viburnum.

They are especially useful as a wildlife, bird attractor, screening, or naturalizer also.

Rick Anderson

7 responses to “Summer Snowballs, the Viburnum”

  1. wcicrane Avatar
    wcicrane

    Blackswamp_Girl said…

    I have one of the fussier viburnums… doublefile… but it’s still fairly low-maintenance. I think maybe the reason for its underuse is that it’s a “handsome” shrub instead of a “sexy” shrub, you know? I love the texture of the leaves on viburnums, though.
    10:14 PM
    Rick Anderson said…

    One, just one . . . surely you jest. With so many great ones out there big and small-go get some more.

    Lets start a Viburnum revolution!
    11:09 PM
    Carol said…

    I have several Viburnums, all bloom in the spring. Was this rally blooming when you posted this in August?? If so, MUST HAVE!!
    9:11 AM
    Rick Anderson said…

    I took this the day before I posted it!

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  2. astersia Avatar
    astersia

    I agree with the praise for viburnums. But couldn’t help but wonder, given the bloomtime, if this might be a Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora (Pee Gee Hydrangea) rather than a viburnum!

    It’s a viburnum, not sure on the particular cultivar.

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    1. Jim Fellows Avatar
      Jim Fellows

      I am also curious about this viburnum. My nursery told me that August blooms are P.G. Hydrangea (otherwise known as the “old fashioned type hydrangea trees.” )
      Viburnums, I was told, are the ones that bloom much earlier in the season.

      Can anybody shed some light on this. Was my nursery that wrong? (They had both types for sale, and the viburnums were definitely not in bloom.)

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  3. Pam Avatar
    Pam

    I’m glad that I saw this in your ‘top posts’ list – I need to check into your Viburnum list (love small trees). I have three Viburnums that I just planted this spring – V. carlesii, V. (can’t remember species name) ‘Blue Muffin’, and V. nudum ‘Winterthur’ – and I’m slowly reading Dirr’s ‘Viburnums’ – and being in zone 8b, have to be a bit careful. I think they’re amazing as a Genus.

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  4. Cheryl Avatar
    Cheryl

    My home I just purchased has this tree, but very old. I was plesantly surprised when it bloomed because I couldn’t identify it. I took a sprig to my extention office and learned the name and I find the beautiful tree in your picture. My tree is planted next to a large lilac and has grown out over the yard. It is the best tree in my yard, I love it and I want more!

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  5. Renelle Avatar
    Renelle

    WoW!!! It is a beautiful tree. I wish I could have some.
    Can you tell me if it’s the Viburnum lentago?

    Thanks!

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  6. JEFF AYO Avatar
    JEFF AYO

    can you give me any information on Vib. Odoratissi

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