The Siebold Viburnum is a tall, vigorous shrub that can easily be considered one of the best viburnums for ornamental use.
A native of Japan, it was introduced into America about 1880, but for some reason, it has not become as well known in this country as it should.
Normally, it may grow to 30′ feet if unhampered by pruning, but proper pruning can be restrained to almost any desired height.
Siebold Viburnum Worthy Characteristics
Clusters Of Delicate Flowers
The white, flat flower clusters remind one of the wild carrot or Queen Anne’s lace.
Although the individual flowers are small and unassuming, these clusters are from 3″ to 4″ inches in diameter.
They are borne in the greatest profusion, covering the plant with white during the latter part of May.
Small Red Fruits
Each of these flowers eventually grows into a small berry about 3/8 of an inch in diameter.
At first, they are red, giving considerable color to the shrub, after which they gradually turn black.
Because these begin to ripen relatively early in the summer before the fruits of many other ornamental plants, the birds avidly seek them and may eat them before they turn blue to black and fall to the ground.
However, each small fruit is borne on a bright red fruit stalk which remains on the plant several weeks after the fruit falls, and these are colorful enough to be noticed from some distance.
Ornamental Beautiful Foliage
Spring flowers and summer fruits are not the only worthy characteristics of this shrub, for the foliage is very definitely ornamental.
The leaves, thick and rugose, are about 6” inches long and 2” inches wide.
They are held on the plant in dense masses, interspersed with open areas.