Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Can someone send me a photo of their blooming viburnum, 1 by ViburnumValley

ViburnumValley wrote:
McGlory:

I'm jealous of you and your proximity to Classic Viburnums in Upland, NE. Kevin can also vouch for the length and breadth of viburnums they grow, as well as the upstanding character of Gary/Susan, proprietors. I'd defer to their advice on planting times for NE.

Kevin:

Can't believe you let LOL by with the straight line. Hydrangeas are one-season viburnum wannabes.

LOL:

I think there's a song from Guy's era that goes, "Everything you can do, I can do better..." Consider the fruit set on Hydrangea. Remember the last time people tripped over themselves trying to determine the source of fragrance wafting from an unseen Hydrangea ? I can count on one hand the range of fall colors in Hydrangea.

Only the individual gardener can decide how many/which kind/etc. when it comes to viburnums. Consider the list.

**fragrance
**flowers (and what color)
**foliage (evergreen or deciduous)
**fall color (and what color)
**fruit (and what color)
**form (tall, short, fat, etc.)
**frequency (long bloom time or short; long fruiting or not; long fall color or not)

OK, not the best at off-color humor but you get the point. Lots there to choose from, and for each there is a trade off. Few viburnums (much less any plant) do everything, but most are stellar at one or another, and a some do several very well. You categorize which aspects are most important, and then go from there.

Most of the southern contingent have weighed in here, but I think a few species haven't been mentioned (a perusal of LA native plants may yield some appropriate plants, too). If you look into the introduced species, evaluate them for tolerance to heat/humidity which you allegedly have some of there in the NO area.

•Viburnum rufidulum Southern or rusty blackhaw
•Viburnum dentatum Arrowwood group, including maybe V. rafinesquianum or V. bracteatum
•Viburnum nudum Possumhaw viburnum

Here's John's real favorite: Viburnum prunifolium Bourbon Barrel™ elbowing aside the slovenly 'Popcorn' and a run-of-the-mill blackhaw seedling.