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Doublefile Viburnum

Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum

Family: Carprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle)

Native: China, Japan

Hardiness: Zone 5 - 8

Growth Rate: Moderate

Uses: Specimen, border, corner plantings

The unusual horizontal branching and profuse flowering of the Doublefile Viburnum makes this shrub an excellent specimen plant. Creamy white flowers sit above the foliage creating a floating, lace-cap effect. Striking reddish purple leaves put on a grand fall display.

Description:

Flower:

Blooms in April, May. Pure, snow white blossoms. 2 to 4" flat-topped flower clusters are raised on 2-inch high stalks above the foliage creating a lace-cap, horizontal effect.

Leaves:

Deciduous. Dark green turning wine red to reddish purple in fall. 2 to 4" long, 1 to 2 1/2" wide.

Fruit:

Egg-shaped drupe, 1/3" diameter. Bright red changing to black. Ripens in July and August. Berries very attractive to birds.

Habit:

Rounded. Wide, spreading branches.

Planting & Maintenance:

Planting:

Plant in late fall. Transplants easily.

Site:

Moist, well-drained soil. Prefers slightly acid soil. May not tolerate heavy clay, poorly drained soils.

Part shade to full sun. Flowers equally in both.

Water:

Moist, well-drained soil.

Temperature:

Hardy to -15ºF.

Fertilization:

8-8-8 or 10-10-10 at the rate of one tablespoon per foot height in March, May and July, or according to a soil test.

Pruning:

Prune after blooming if needed to renew growth.

NOTE: Plant this gorgeous viburnum where it can grow into its natural shape and size. You won't be disappointed.

Propagation:

Softwood cuttings in early summer, treated with rooting hormone.

Seed planted as soon after harvesting as possible. If seed must be stored, stratifiy at 40ºF for two to four months.

Varying by cultivar: layering, suckers, grafting.

Cultivars:

Cascade

Wide, spreading branches. Flower parts umbrella-shaped, 2 1/2 to 4" across. Abundant red fruits. Burgundy fall color.

Lanarth

Large individual flowers up to 2" diameter. Large flower clusters. Marked horizontal form. 12 to 14' tall, equal spread. Purple, red fall color. Often confused with 'Mariesii'.

Mariesii

Large individual flowers up to 1 3/4" diameter, raised on stalks 2 1/2" above the foliage. Large flower clusters. Marked horizontal form. 8 to 10' tall, 10 to 15' wide. Purple, red fall color.

Pink Beauty

Deep pink flowers. Color develops as petals age. Somewhat upright. Leaves smaller than species. More upright in habit, 9' high and wide.

Shasta

Large, abundant flowers. Bright red fruits mature to black. Horizontally branched, 6' high, 10 to 12' spread.

Summer Snowflakes

Flowers heavily in May, then intermittently all summer. Compact form, 5 to 8' tall. Reddish purple fall color. Upright 8-10' tall.

Summer Stars

(Watanabei)

Blooms all summer. Compact form, 6 to 8' tall.

Problems:

None serious

Watch for viburnum aphid, treehoppers, scale, leaf spot and powdery mildew.

Article written by Rachel Swinford, former Program Assistant

Photos courtesy of Michael A. Dirr's Photo-Library of Woody Landscape Plants

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, Michael A. Dirr, 1998

Landscape Plants of the Southeast, R. Gordon Halfacre, Anne R. Shawcroft, Fifth Edition 1989

Secrets of PLANT PROPAGATION, Lewis Hill, 1985

Virginia Cooperative Extension Service Website http://www.ext.vt.edu

The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.

Leah Wilson 12/01/01

Description:	Flower:	Blooms in April, May. Pure, snow white blossoms. 2 to 4" flat-topped flower clusters are raised on 2-inch high stalks above the foliage creating a lace-cap, horizontal effect.
	Leaves:	Deciduous. Dark green turning wine red to reddish purple in fall. 2 to 4" long, 1 to 2 1/2" wide.
	Fruit:	Egg-shaped drupe, 1/3" diameter. Bright red changing to black. Ripens in July and August. Berries very attractive to birds.
	Habit:	Rounded. Wide, spreading branches.
Planting & Maintenance:	Planting:	Plant in late fall. Transplants easily.
	Site:	Moist, well-drained soil. Prefers slightly acid soil. May not tolerate heavy clay, poorly drained soils. Part shade to full sun. Flowers equally in both.
	Water:	Moist, well-drained soil.
	Temperature:	Hardy to -15ºF.
	Fertilization:	8-8-8 or 10-10-10 at the rate of one tablespoon per foot height in March, May and July, or according to a soil test.
	Pruning:	Prune after blooming if needed to renew growth. NOTE: Plant this gorgeous viburnum where it can grow into its natural shape and size. You won't be disappointed.
	Propagation:	Softwood cuttings in early summer, treated with rooting hormone. Seed planted as soon after harvesting as possible. If seed must be stored, stratifiy at 40ºF for two to four months. Varying by cultivar: layering, suckers, grafting.
Cultivars:	Cascade	Wide, spreading branches. Flower parts umbrella-shaped, 2 1/2 to 4" across. Abundant red fruits. Burgundy fall color.
	Lanarth	Large individual flowers up to 2" diameter. Large flower clusters. Marked horizontal form. 12 to 14' tall, equal spread. Purple, red fall color. Often confused with 'Mariesii'.
	Mariesii	Large individual flowers up to 1 3/4" diameter, raised on stalks 2 1/2" above the foliage. Large flower clusters. Marked horizontal form. 8 to 10' tall, 10 to 15' wide. Purple, red fall color.
	Pink Beauty	Deep pink flowers. Color develops as petals age. Somewhat upright. Leaves smaller than species. More upright in habit, 9' high and wide.
	Shasta	Large, abundant flowers. Bright red fruits mature to black. Horizontally branched, 6' high, 10 to 12' spread.
	Summer Snowflakes	Flowers heavily in May, then intermittently all summer. Compact form, 5 to 8' tall. Reddish purple fall color. Upright 8-10' tall.
	Summer Stars (Watanabei)	Blooms all summer. Compact form, 6 to 8' tall.
Problems:	None serious	Watch for viburnum aphid, treehoppers, scale, leaf spot and powdery mildew.