Why not consider viburnums when planning a shrub border? Not particular to the soil, many varieties of form, height, and foliage texture add color to the fall scene.
Their shiny crimson and black fruit and brilliant red foliage bring new life to the garden as the growing season draws close.
Members of a large family of woody plants, viburnums, related to the honeysuckles, have simple, opposite leaves which remain free of insects and diseases throughout the summer.
Their terminal clusters of creamy-white flowers, effective in May and June, are followed by red, blue, or blackberries in bunches, showy against the burnished fall coloring of their leaves.
Widely planted in old-fashioned gardens are the snowball and the native cranberry bush, but hybridizers have developed improved varieties of much greater interest.
Viburnum Prunifolium “Native Black Haw”
The native black haw (Viburnum prunifolium), growing to 15’ feet at maturity, is an excellent, large-scale shrub. Its reddish, pointed buds unfold into oval, sharply serrated leaves, which turn a shining red in autumn.
The fruit of this variety, which is also edible, furnishes autumn color in the shrub border. The berries, besides being ornamental, are eagerly sought by the birds.
Viburnum “European Cranberry Bush”
European cranberry bush (V. opulus), which is more desirable than the American species, is striking in its flower form. Large, flat clusters of bloom contain the small, fertile flowers in the center, surrounded by a margin of larger, sterile florets.
The leaves, lobed like the red maple, turn bright red in the fall. If the red fruits do not fit in with your color scheme, there is a yellow-fruiting form, V. opulus xanthocarpum, which is very attractive and not commonly seen.
Viburnum Sargentii Flavum
Another yellow-berried variety, perhaps more colorful in fruit, is V. sargentii flavum. Similar in most respects to the European cranberry bush, this is a shrub of merit in either its red- or yellow-fruiting form.
Viburnum Dilatatum “Linden-leaf Viburnum”
Also available with either red or yellow fruits is the linden-leaf viburnum (V. dilatatum). This is truly an aristocrat of the viburnum family—a clean-foliaged shrub, growing to about nine feet and producing large clusters of small, scarlet fruits. The fall foliage is russet red.
Viburnum Setigerum Auranticum
To accent a planting, an evergreen species, the orange-fruited tea-viburnum (V. setigerum aurantiacum) can be useful. This is a native of China introduced to our country in 1907.
The long-pointed leaves are heavily veined, dark green above and grayish beneath. It is a slender shrub, growing to 8’ or 9’ feet. Not always easily recognized as a member of this family, it is certain to attract attention.
Where a strikingly-flowered viburnum is desired, consider the various double-file viburnum, with its distinctive, horizontal branching habit and large, flat flower clusters.
Viburnum Earlesi “Mayflower Viburnum”
Deserving a very special place, either in the border or foundation planting, is the mayflower Viburnum (V. earlesi). This is a low, more or less rounded form, with velvety gray leaves.
Its small clusters of delicate pink flowers, having the fragrance of the true mayflower, give it a distinction few other shrubs possess.
This species can be a trifle difficult and is not for damp, poorly drained areas. Nevertheless, it’s good qualities make it well worth planting.
Siebold Viburnum
The largest of all the viburnums, and one of the most beautiful because of its all-season interest, is the Siebold viburnum (V. sieboldi).
A native of Japan, it was introduced to this country in 1880. Growing to 30′ feet, it has long, prominently wrinkled leaves, a graceful branching habit, and splendid red fall color.
The red fruits ripen early and remain several weeks before turning black if not eaten by the birds. Then they fall, leaving the red fruit stalks clinging to the twigs.
If you need a shrub to screen an undesirable view, this is an excellent one to choose. In addition, it makes an excellent bird thicket!
Very Hardy Specimens
The following family members, less desirable for specimens but very hardy and of good form and color, can provide ample food for the birds.
Of these, a good filler shrub is a native arrowwood (V. dentatum), furnished with thick leaves and quantities of dark blue berries in the fall. Another is the white rod (V. cassinoides), a six-foot native with effective, red fall foliage.
Its fruit changes color from green to red, then black, before the birds devour them. A third native is a hobblebush (V. alnifolium), appropriate for damper places. This grows to 12′ feet, blooms mid-May, and has crimson fall coloring.
Fruit for Jelly or Jam
The American cranberry bush (V. trilobum) is generally considered the best of the native species and is rated as being hardier than the European species.
Its large bright green maple-shaped leaves turn a brilliant red in the fall. The fruit may be prepared into jelly or jam and a bird food source.
There is the Japanese snowball bush (V. tomentosum sterile) for gardens reminiscent of earlier times.
Its deeply-veined leaves and fat round balls of white flowers are not susceptible to plant lice, as in the European snowball, widely planted several years ago.
For their white flowers, colorful fall foliage, and handsome berries, viburnums deserve a place in all gardens.
Especially noteworthy is their ability to grow in the shade and in small city gardens with little air circulation. They are also relatively free of pests and diseases.
44659 by Edna S. Swasey