viburnum plicatum mariesii

I have one of these gorgeous shrubs, but the more I read about it, the more I don't understand!
I read that the flowers are part sterile, and that they pollinate themselves. I had flowers, but somehow I cut the spent flowers off, I didn't know they would make berries.
On a website today I read that, in order for it to make berries, I need another sort planted nearby.
If that is true, can you tell me which one I should get, preferabely lace cap flowers also.
Thank you, you are all so helpful, I learn a lot here!
EDITED: correction, I have a SHOSHONI not a mariesii
Scott, if you would happen to read this; I got my hamamelis jelena, 6 foot tall, and a small primavera too. Thank you for putting me on to these, they are enchanting!On a funnier note; my son (6) saw this shrub and asked me if I put shrimp in the tree for the birds!

Picture; my jelena!!!!

This message was edited Jan 27, 2007 8:10 PM

Fine photo -- I know you'll enjoy this excellent witch hazel.

San Anselmo...what a nice little town. This is where we stayed on our 10th anniversary, which was my first time to the Bay area. May get back out there this fall for the ASLA conference.

Take a read through this thread, if you can stay awake: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/568744/

You have the gist of the issue in hand though: a couple different doublefile viburnums produce the best results in terms of cross-pollination and thus fabulous fruit. You can get some/little fruit on a doublefile by itself, but most gardeners find the production from cross-pollination to be their preference.

If you have 'Shoshoni', then most any other V. plicatum var. tomentosum with fertile flowers will work. You have to decide what you have room for (your home page shows a relatively reserved site). Among the candidates could be:

Large plants

'Shasta'
'Mariesii'
'Lanarth'
'St. Keverne'
'Pink Beauty'

Smaller plants

'Dart's Red Robin'
'Fireworks'
'Summer Snowflake'

In my observations, NONE of the true lacecap V. plicatum var. tomentosum are small. There are some fine compact snowball V. plicatum types, but they have few/none fertile flowers in the "snowball" of showy sterile flowers, and are not good choices for cross-pollination to achieve full fruiting.

If you get to look at the plant you are buying, check for short/shorter internodes (distance between buds along the stems) for an estimate of how fast or slow the plant is growing. Here's a picture (not the clearest) of a row of 'Shasta' to the left of a row of slightly later blooming 'Shoshoni' that illustrates the differing densities of a larger vs. smaller doublefile viburnum growing in the same full sun central KY conditions.

Thank you sooooo much for your enormous answer! Yes, I could stay awake, but I must admit it is above my level.... But trying though!
I will read it again.
You are very knowledgable, and I may call upon you and Scott many more times!

For ever in your debt,

Christie