Viburnums comprise a genus of more than 150 attractive and versatile shrub species. All viburnums thrive in sun or part shade, and some grow well in complete shade. Viburnums include evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous shrubs. In spring, many viburnums bloom with large white to pink flower clusters, often followed by fruits loved by birds. Viburnums have attractive leaves, and many deciduous varieties display dramatic red to purple fall foliage. Some viburnums thrive in dry shade, while others need moist shade. Choose small or large types, depending on your gardening needs. Pest- and disease-resistant, viburnums make a great addition to the landscape.
Mapleleaf viburnum (V. acerfolium) thrives in deep shade in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. It grows well in dry soil and is suitable for small spaces, reaching a height of 2 to 6 feet. Mapleleaf viburnum has striking fall foliage, changing from reddish purple to rosy pink.
Sandanqua viburnum (V. suspensum) and European cranberrybush viburnum (V. opulus) do well in moist soil. Sandanqua viburnum is an evergreen shrub that grows well in part and full shade in USDA zones 8 through 10, reaching a height of 6 to 12 feet. It makes a good medium-sized hedge or foundation plant. European cranberrybush viburnum has attractive white flowers and red berries, growing 10 to 15 feet tall. It grows well in part shade in USDA zones 3 through 8.
In addition to mapleleaf viburnum, blackhaw viburnum (V. prunifolium) and wayfaring tree (V. lantana) grow well in dry soil and shade. Blackhaw viburnum grows 10 to 15 feet tall in USDA zones 3 through 9. It bears white lacecap flowers, followed by pink to blue-black fruit, and displays reddish-purple fall foliage. Wayfaring tree grows well in USDA zones 3 through 8, reaching a height of 10 to 15 feet. It blooms with white snowball-like flowers, followed by orangey-red to black fruit and then purple fall foliage.
For small spaces, mapleleaf viburnum and some varieties of doublefile viburnum, such as "Shasta" (V. plicatum var. tomentosum "Shasta") and "Newport" (V. plicatum var. tomentosum "Newport") fit the bill. "Shasta" and "Newport" grow well in part shade and all shade in USDA zones 5 through 8. "Shasta" has large white lacecap flowers, and "Newport" has white, lightly fragrant, snowball-like blooms. "Shasta" grows to 6 feet by 5 feet and "Newport" to about 5 feet by 5 feet. Both varieties have colorful fall foliage.
Siebold viburnum (V. sieboldii) and nannyberry (V. lentago) are examples of large viburnums you can plant as hedges or privacy screens. Both Siebold viburnum and nannyberry can reach a height of 15 to 20 feet and grow well in moist shade, but nannyberry will also grow in dry soil. Siebold viburnum thrives in USDA zones 4 through 8, and nannyberry grows well in USDA zones 2 through 8. Both viburnums bear creamy white lacecap blooms and colorful fruits. Siebold viburnum has greenish-purple and nannyberry reddish-purple fall foliage.
Many viburnums, including wayfaring tree, blackhaw viburnum, European cranberrybush, doublefile viburnum and Siebold viburnum, are prized for their beauty. Two exceptionally attractive viburnums are Burkwood viburnum (V. burkwoodii) and Judd viburnum (V. x juddii). Many Burkwood viburnum varieties have profuse, fragrant blooms and semi-evergreen or colorful fall foliage, growing 6 to 10 feet tall. Judd viburnum has highly fragrant white, snowball-shaped blooms and colorful fruits, reaching a height of 7 feet. Both Burkwood viburnum and Judd viburnum do well in USDA zones 4 through 8.
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