Doublefile Viburnum, Japanese Snowball Bush (Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum)

Doublefile Viburnum, Japanese Snowball Bush
Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum

Double File Viburnum 9 ft tall. North Georgia grown in semi-shade. Blooms profusely in early spring.

Bridhe,
I just happened to be searching ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM of the PF Viburnum list and I found this incredible picture -- Yours!

I was scanning for the species that grew wild and in profusion when I was growing up in New York's Adirondack Mountains... I always loved how the blossoms made levels/layers (opening flat w/florets pointing up that is)... but your shrub does that in SPADES!

Do you know if it has a chill requirement, i.e. needs to spend time below freezing (or some temperature) in order to bloom?
~'spin!~

Hi,
Actually this is my first double file. I've seen many of what are known as "snowball bushes" (viburnun plicatum plicatum) in my area but was unfamiliar with this variety. I came across a photo of this beauty in a book on shade gardening, and once I'd seen it, I had to have one! I found one at my local Pike's Nursery, and once planted, it has grown quickly and beautifully. It's in shade, with a bit of dappled light, but no direct sun. I really haven't done anything at all to it, other than to prune out the limbs that occasionally grow upright, and give it regular watering in the hottest part of the summer.
I don't know of any need for freezing temps for blooming, but I do know it's not very happy in the midday heat, (I'm in north Georgia, zone 7) and wilts rather quickly. Once the sun goes down and the temperature drops, it begins to recover, and given a decent watering, it perks right back up.
We've had an unusually wet spring this year, and this viburnum made a spectacular show of blooms that lasted several weeks. I was just thrilled! I've even had people knock on my door and ask what it is and where they could get one.

I'm afraid I'll have to start to do some regular pruning on it to keep it from overtaking the whole front yard! I wasn't aware of just how fast it can grow. It is already half as tall, and wider than my 19 year old Japanese Maple.

I would definitely recommend one of these beauties if you're looking for a specimen planting. The flowers are spectcular, and the lighter green color and ribbed texture of the leaves makes a nice contrast. There are also the tiny berries that follow the blossoms.
It's absolutely my favorite shrub!

I see that you're in zone 9. This shrub is listed for zones 5 thru 8, but I think if you can find a good shady spot, and can give it the water it needs, it may do well for you. Check with your county extension service.

Keep well,
Bobbi

Ah, well... having just watched my hardy kiwi scorch AGAIN, I think I will have to pass -- as long as I live in California! I don't have that kind of room anyway, I also just had to remove a three year old Duranta repens which had just hit stride.

and Moab is even hotter and dryer (in the summer) so not a good idea for Blooms, either...

I know! I will find one in Albany area (Albany NY, not Albany OR) when we are there in August, and take it to my step-mom -- it should *love* it in the Adirondacks; the wild ones do and my gramma had the snowball bush, too. And DSM has LOTS of room, too!

Thanks for bringing this back to my attention, Bobbi; I'd surely forgotten all about it!

~'spin!~

I LOVE this!!!
I am determined this year not to plant anything that isn't fragrant but I might have to make an exception for this beauty! I know not all viburnums are fragrant- does this one smell good? If so I'm going to HAVE to get one and I see that ForestFarm- my fave place- has them.

Bridhe:

You have a lovely doublefile viburnum; you just don't have Newport® viburnum. Newport® is a snowball type (like other Viburnum plicatum), not a lacecap type. See this info from the originator of this clone: http://www.lakecountynursery.com/newport.htm

You can ask DG Admin to shift your info to the PlantFiles entry for Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum, where other readers can benefit from your experience.

Once again, this viburnum illustrated is NOT Newport. It is clearly a lacecap type, not a snowball type like Newport is.

Please ask the Admins to move this photo over to the Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum entry, where it is quite appropriate.

Thanks! The photo has been moved.