| Common Name | Viburnum |
| Genus | Viburnum |
| Species | Several species used as cut flower/foliage; e.g., V. carlesii, V. plicatum, V. opulus, V. x burkwoodii |
| Family | Adoxaceae (formerly Caprifoliaceae) |
| Life Cycle | Hardy Deciduous (and some evergreen) shrubs |
| Format | 4" Pots |
| Plug Care | Plant young shrubs promptly upon arrival. Plants should be dormant and can withstand cold temperatures - if the plants have broken dormancy and below freezing temperatures are forecasted, protect tender new growth. Keep soil evenly moist but well-drained until established; water regularly while new roots are developing and during periods with no rain. |
| Netting / Staking | Not normally required, though very long, heavy flowering trusses may benefit from light support in production settings. Most viburnum are quite capable of standing up on their own with no support. |
| Hardiness | Many viburnums are hardy from USDA Zones 3 to 8 depending on species; they tolerate a broad temperature range but prefer cooler conditions during the bloom period. |
| Spacing | Space anywhere from 3 to 8 feet apart depending on species and desired hedging vs. specimen planting; for cut-flower production allow 4-5 feet spacing for large types such as V. carlesii. |
| Soil Preference | Viburnums prefer well-drained, fertile soils; many species adapt to a wide pH range and tolerate some clay. As with most shrubs, well draining soil is essential. |
| Sun Requirement | Full sun will give you the best cut flower/foliage quality. Plants can tolerate some light shade, but the quality of your cut material will suffer. |
| Pruning | Prune immediately after flowering if shaping is needed (flowers are produced on old wood for most species, so don't prune late in the season, only immediately after flowering). |
| When to Plant | Plant in spring swiftly upon arrival. If the plant is still dormant it can withstand below freezing temperatures. If it has broken dormancy, tender new growth needs protection from frost cloth. |
| Harvesting | Harvest flower cymes when approximately half the buds are open (for many viburnums this gives best display). For foliage, pick stems after the leaves have fully matured and are not soft and floppy. Some viburnums produce berries that can be harvested in the late summer and early autumn. Harvest in the early morning when plants are hydrated. |
| Post Harvest Care | Make a fresh angled cut, remove leaves below the vase line, and place stems into very clean, cool water with a floral preservative. Viburnum benefits from frequent water changes and recutting every 2 to 3 days; cool storage extends vase life (ideally upright in a cooler if available). |
| Diseases / Insects | Viburnums are generally quite disease and pest resistant. They are susceptible to generic plant pests such as aphids and leaf miners which can be treated with a mycoinsecticide if necessary. Proper spacing will facilitate good air circulation and help decrease the likelihood of leaf diseases such as powdery mildew. |
| Bailey's Notes |
Viburnum Carlesii ‘Korean Spice’ There are some flowers out there that will blow you away with their scent. This is one of them! Viburnum ‘Korean Spice’ has an incredibly intoxicating, spicy, clove-like scent that will draw you in from quite a distance. The pristine white flower clusters have thick petals that allow them to hold up well in a vase. This is a slightly slower growing shrub which will take a few years to reach its mature size of roughly 6-8 feet tall and wide, but it means the maintenance is very low. Simply cut branches for floral work as needed and the plants will send out new growth – with very little pruning or tidying needed. One or two stems in arrangement will have your customers hooked. This viburnum should be hardy in USDA zones 5-8, possibly even down to zone 4 for those adventurous enough to try. |
| Resources | NA |