Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Need ID for Viburnum, 3 by ViburnumValley

ViburnumValley wrote:
Just got home - can't believe I missed first crack at a viburnum question...

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/144584/

You may not be happy to learn that almost all Viburnums take two years to germinate from seed (sown this spring will sprout next year, most of the time). Once growing, you will likely have flowers 2-3 years later with Viburnum nudum.

If you want to trade this plant with others with more rapid gratification, I'd advocate for providing cuttings - or better yet, rooted cuttings. This plant layers very easily, and new starts could be provided before the first set of seedlings sprouted.

Viburnum nudum enjoys excess moisture - like near a downspout, or in a poorly drained part of one's property. It does not require it, but dislikes intense drought periods. Provide additional moisture when that kind of climatic condition sets in.

Viburnum nudum fruits far more heavily when a non-identical Viburnum nudum is present with which to cross-pollinate. 'Winterthur' is the easiest partner to find for 'Brandywine', but any other clone or seedling should be just fine - as long as bloom times overlap.

Viburnum nudum will grow in most soils that are acid or circumneutral. Highly alkaline soils are probably not its favorite. It is native to acid swampy soils. It is not a really small plant. I have 8-10' tall 'Winterthur' growing here, which are about 15 years old now - and no acid or excess moisture provided. My 'Brandywine' is but a youngster at 3 years in the landscape.

I would challenge the notion that Viburnum nudum is "self-fruitful". I had twenty-one plants of a single clone for several years, and rarely had more than a handful of fruit TOTAL. It is too easy to plant more than one clone in a landscape - or in the neighborhood - so why would one waste time believing otherwise? The reward in fructiferosity is phenomenal...

1. Viburnum nudum 'Earth Shade', first partner to 'Winterthur' at the Valley

2. Viburnum nudum 'Pink Beauty' on a 3 year old plant from rooted cutting

3. Viburnum nudum 'Pollinator', the lame name from Monrovia for a partner plant

4. Viburnum nudum 'Winterthur' mass planting at Crescent Hill Golf Course

5. Viburnum nudum 'Winterthur' happy at the Valley