In My Garden Blog:
Middle South
May 2, 2002
By
Barbara Pleasant,
Brevard, NC
The spicy clove fragrance of ÂMohawk viburnum perfumes the garden for several weeks in spring. Blue-black berries follow in the fall.
Steadfast Viburnums
Every landscape benefits from the constancy of shrubs, and I think the best ones are those with the most varied talents. Enter viburnums, many of which provide fragrance, attractive form and foliage, fall berries, and attractive bark. Viburnums are semi-evergreen in our region, and nearly every yard has a place for at least one of them.
The Who's Who of Virburnums
I can't explain why there is snowball bush (Viburnum macrocephalum) in nearly every well-aged landscape in our region, but it's obvious that years ago, these hydrangea look-alikes must have been in style. They've stood the test of time, too, though improved hybrids, usually listed as V. x. carlcephalum offer better fragrance and whiter flowers. If you want a specimen shrub to anchor a sunny bed, either snowball or spice viburnum (V. carlesiii) can do the job.
In partial shade, I love doublefile viburnums (V. plicatumi). The lateral branches studded with white flowers have an elegant look that's refined without being stiff. Super fragrant V. burkwoodii hybrids need at least a half day of sun, but this is one viburnum that truly has it all. No wonder the 'Mohawk' cultivar was named a Georgia Gold Medal winner in 1999. In addition to these, there are many other great viburnums to consider for your yard.
Planting Tips
Viburnums are not at all fussy, provided they have decent drainage. Average acid to near neutral soil is fine, though it's always a good idea to amend the planting hole with organic matter. Begin with small plants, less than 30 inches tall. Bare-root plants should be planted in late winter or early spring. Container-grown viburnums can be planted until early summer. Since many grow to be more than 6 feet tall and wide, be sure to plan ahead for ample space. Don't prune viburnums unless you need to remove injured wood. Most viburnums are naturally resistant to insects and diseases, so they never need spraying, either.
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