Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Vivacious Viburnum

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

1 comment:

  1. 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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