Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist loams, but tolerates a wide range of soils. Needs consistent and even moisture. Do not allow soils to dry out. Prune as needed immediately after flowering. Best growth is in cool summer climates. Not recommended for planting south of USDA Zone 7.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Viburnum sieboldii, commonly called Siebold viburnum, is an upright, rounded, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub or small tree that typically grows to 15-20’ tall and to 10-15' wide. It is native to Japan. Opposite, toothed, elliptic to oblong, medium to dark green leaves (to 3” long) usually develop no appreciable fall color. White flowers in flat-topped cymes (to 3-4” across) bloom in mid to late spring, with each cyme containing small sterile flowers edged with larger white fertile flowers. Both the flowers and bruised leaves emit unpleasant aromas. Flowers give way to spherical, scarlet, berry-like drupes (to 1/2”) on showy red fruiting stems. Drupes gradually ripen to black over the period of August to October, and persist on the shrub into winter.
Genus name comes from the Latin name of a species plant.
Specific epithet honors Phillip Franz von Siebold (1796-1866), German physician and naturalist.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Leaf scorch may develop if soils are allowed to dry out.
Uses
Shrub borders, screens, hedges. Specimen or small groups.