Viburnum Hybrid, Burkwood Viburnum

This is an open, loosely branched shrub that is semi-evergreen here in the Virginia Piedmont (zone 7a). Its loose habit works well in pla...Read Moreces where you don't necessarily want a privacy hedge. You can more-or-less see through it if it's kept at a moderate size, which is the effect I was looking for next to our patio. My daughter says it smells like honeysuckle, which is probably because they are distantly related. I'd say the scent seems slightly artificial, maybe like juicy fruit gum mixed with baby powder. Comparing it with other viburnums at a nursery that were blooming at the same time, Burkwood smells exactly like Judd and Mohawk. Korean Spice is similar, but has a cleaner scent without the baby powder overtone. Burkwood is the only scented viburnum I know of that is semi-evergreen, although it's effectively deciduous in our climate. Think of it more as holding onto its leaves longer than other viburnums, losing most of its leaves in December, and becoming nearly bald in January. The dark reddish fall color is a bonus. Having said all of that, I'll go with French lilac next time. Lilacs have a similar habit, size, and bloom time, but with colorful, wonderfully scented blooms that last about two weeks longer.

None of my other viburnums have leaves that are quite as beautiful, plus the blossoms are as fragrant as carlesii also. I have American ...Read MoreSpice, which has glossy, ridged leaves. It demands very little. Last year my three foot tall shrub (grows to 4') was carelessly mowed down, but it is growing back!

I love this plant. It has grown phenomenally well as an accent on the southwest corner of our house. I have been amazed at how quickly ...Read Moreit has grown and filled out. As one has already said, it is lovely in all seasons. The scent of the white with pink tinged blooms in spring is intoxicating and the color of the leaves budding out is a nice contrast of green and red. The foliage is beautiful in summer and in the fall and it's form without leaves gives visual interest in the winter. It has no problems at all with insects or disease. I will not ever be without this shrub no matter where I live.

This is my favorite viburnum hands down! It has 4 season interest and in Colorado will be semi-evergreen if grown in a protected site, ty...Read Morepically an eastern exposure. The flowers are very fragrant as opposed to the 'skunky' flowers typical with many other viburnums. The leaves are glossy on top and velvety on the botton, nice contrast.
Beautiful fall color, and looks good through the winter with it's typical
attractive viburnum branching habit. Along the front range of the
Rockies, this is best planted in a protected(usu. eastern exposure) site and requires little supplemental water once established. Have
had no problems with pests or powdery mildew. Try this shrub instead of the typically overused lilacs, dogwoods etc and you
won't be disappointed.