Common Name: Japanese viburnum
Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Family: Adoxaceae
Native Range: Eastern Asia
Zone: 7 to 9
Height: 6.00 to 8.00 feet
Spread: 6.00 to 8.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Hedge
Flower: Showy, Fragrant
Leaf: Evergreen
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies
Fruit: Showy
Other: Winter Interest
Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 7-9 where it is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates close to full shade. Best growth occurs with consistent and even moisture. This is an evergreen shrub, but it tends to be semi-evergreen to deciduous near the far northern edge of its growing range. Plants appreciate some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. If growth is attempted in USDA Zone 6, plants should be sited in protected locations and given a good winter mulch.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Viburnum japonicum, commonly called Japanese viburnum, is an evergreen shrub that typically grows with a dense rounded habit to 6-8’ tall and as wide. It is native to Japan. It features long lustrous leathery glossy ovate to broad ovate evergreen leaves (to 6” long by 4” wide) which are medium green above and paler green beneath. Tiny, white, strongly scented flowers (each to 3/8”wide) are produced in dense rounded clusters (flattened cymes to 4” wide) in late spring. Oval-rounded berries (each to 1/3” long) mature to red in fall and often remain on the shrub during the winter months. Fruits are attractive to birds. Similar in appearance to Viburnum odoratissimum.
Genus name comes from the Latin name of a species plant.
Specific epithet is in reference to the species being native in part to Japan.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Potential disease problems include bacterial leaf spot, mildews and crown gall. Potential insect problems include aphids and scale.
Uses
Broadleaf evergreen shrub for informal hedges, screens, barriers, foundations, borders or open woodland areas. Fragrant late spring flowers, fall fruit and evergreen foliage make this an interesting and attractive landscape shrub.