People
often ask me what my favorite plant is but, I could never pick just one.
However, if I could pick a whole genus, I think it might be viburnum. They are
one of America’s most popular landscape plants, with good reason. Most viburnum
have at least 3-season interest, attractive foliage and
growth habits.
White or pink flowers in spring, some quite fragrant, and they attract
butterflies looking for nectar. In late summer the fruit begins to form often
with fantastic colors attracting robins, bluebirds, thrushes, catbirds,
cardinals, finches, waxwings, and more. They are the ultimate bird-scaping
plant.
Many
have outstanding fall color too. For gardeners looking for spring bloom and
fall color, viburnum is a great substitute for invasive plants like callery pear and burning bush. Viburnum
have a wide distribution range in the U.S. attesting to the fact that they are
quite adaptable. They generally grow well when planted in moist, rich and
slightly acidic soil. Light requirements vary a bit, but again they are pretty adaptable. For best fruit set it’s advisable to plant at least 2 different
cultivars. Here is a look at some of my favorites.
Lovely white
flowers attract butterflies and other beneficial insects
Dark blue berries
attract birds
Beautiful fall
color, three season interest
Flowers attract butterflies, blue berries feed
game birds, songbirds
Stunning yellow to
wine-red fall color
Most soil adaptable
of all Viburnums
Huge nectar source
for native insects
Important food
source for wildlife in the winter
Perfect screen or
specimen plant
Fragrant flowers provide nectar for butterflies and other pollinators
Compact plants with multi-colored berries, relished by birds and other wildlife
Grows well in most soils
Flowers attract butterflies, berries are a great source of food for birds
Red-purple foliage contrasts with blue-black fruit in the fall
Wine-colored fall foliage
Flowers provide nectar for butterflies and other pollinators
Red-purple foliage contrasts with blue-black fruit in the
fall
Berries are a great source of winter food for birds and
other wildlife
Bringing Life to Your Garden!
Have fun out there, Peggy Anne
the viburnum plants you share are absolutely wonderful. I liked all of them. how you get this information. Seems like you have a deep interest in these kinds of plants:) isn't?
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