Viburnum 'Willowwood'

'Willowwood' viburnum, one of the hybrid leatherleaf clan in this broad family of shrubs, is a handsome albeit large plant. It has a bit...Read More more refined form than its more common kissing cousin 'Alleghany'. 'Willowwood' holds its foliage more horizontally than the more dog-eared look of 'Alleghany', and its foliage isn't quite as long and is a bit more rounded on the tips.

'Willowwood' flowers heavily in the spring, and sets copious fruit if there is a related pollinator nearby. Most appropriate partnering could include another V. x rhytidophylloides selection; V. lantana or a clone like 'Mohican'; or V. x pragense. These fruit color into red and hold this hue for a long period till ripening on to black. 'Willowwood' will often offer a repeat performance of bloom in the fall before settling into dormancy for winter.

Many of the evergreen leatherleaf viburnums will develop a purplish cast for the winter; 'Willowwood' is no different. In spring, the new foliage emerges lushly green and last year's leaves will soon drop away as the season progresses.

Like the other V. x rhytidophylloides types, give 'Willowwood' plenty of room. This viburnum wants to reach the 10-15' range (3.0 - 4.5 m).