Feature Spring Flowering Shrub: Viburnum

~Viburnum Varieties~

Spring has arrived and a favorite and versatile flowering shrub for the garden is viburnum.  There are over 150 varieties of this deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub ranging in size from three to twenty feet, many of which are native to Long Island.  Viburnum are known for their elegant pinkish-white blooms, some fragrant, followed by bright green foliage.  Many species are noted for their brilliant fall foliage followed by berries, which are an excellent food source for winter birds. Viburnum prefer to be grown in full sun to partial shade in a moist but well-drained slightly acidic (pH 5.6-6.6) soil.   Due to their versatility they fit beautifully into a number of landscapes including shrub borders, foundation plantings, screening or woodland plantings. The varieties of viburnum that will be discussed here have proven to be successful in the northeastern zone 7 garden.

Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake'
Height 6-8', Width 8-10'
Hardy to Zone 5

Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake' is definitely a favorite and one of the more popular varieties I use in my landscape designs because of its more compact habit and profuse flat white flowers that last throughout summer and somewhat resemble a dogwood bloom. 'Summer Snowflake' is commonly planted in groupings and can reach a height of 6-8 feet, but can be maintained as a smaller shrub.   It is a lovely addition to an informal foundation planting or in a woodland setting. 

Viburnum 'Carlcephalum' (Fragrant)
Height 6-10', Width 6-10'
Hardy to Zones 4-5

If you are looking to appeal to the senses then Viburnum 'Carlcephalum' will surround you with fragrant snowball like clusters of blooms in early spring.  This variety of viburnum is commonly used as a backdrop in a perennial border or as an individual focal point in the garden and is one of the first viburnums to bloom.

Viburnum 'Juddii' (Fragrant)
Height 4-6', Width 4-6'
Hardy to Zones 4-5

Viburnum 'Juddii' is a favorite for the informal woodland setting and and its lovely bright green foliage fits in nicely against a backdrop of darker evergreens.  'Juddii' produces sweetly fragrant clusters of pinkish-white blooms in early spring and stays full and rounded at a mature height and width of 4-6 feet.

Viburnum 'Juddii' Bloom 

Viburnum plicatum tomentosum 'Mariesi'
Height 4-6', Width 4-6'
Hardy to Zones 4-5

 Viburnum 'Mariesi' produces deep green ridged foliage and beautiful white blooms resembling those of a lace cap hydrangea on a rounded 4-6' high by wide shrub in late spring.  Its tiered branching habit makes it a graceful addition to a mixed border or natural landscape.   

Viburnum carlesi 'Korean Spice' (Fragrant)
Height 4-6', Height 4-6'
Hardy to Zones 4-5

'Korean Spice' Viburnum is another favorite displaying pinkish buds in spring followed by clusters of highly fragrant pinkish-white blooms.   Given the name 'Korean Spice' the blooms give off an aroma resembling spice cake throughout the landscape.  The dark green foliage of this viburnum turns to a bright red in fall followed by the appearance of attractive berries.

Viburnum rhytidophyllum 'Leatherleaf' (Semi-Evergreen)-Fragrant
Height 10-15', Width 10-15'
Hardy to Zones 3-5

The last is 'Leatherleaf' Viburnum which is one of the semi-evergreen varieties in zone 7.  Due to its higher stature it is often used as hedging or as a backdrop in privacy border.  In spring Viburnum rhytidophyllum 'Leatherleaf' produces fragrant clusters of creamy-white blooms on coarsely textured blue-green foliage.  Fall interest includes the formation of blue berries starting in June and developing into mature black berries by September.  Leatherleaf Viburnum will tolerate shadier conditions and moister soil conditions than most other viburnums.

Viburnum are a wonderful way to welcome spring.  Their versatility makes them an excellent addition to many a landscape and while providing all season interest another attribute is that they are also "deer resistant".  Try one or more of the many varieties available as an addition to your landscape.

Happy Spring and Happy Gardening!


Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, Copyright 2013. All rights reserved

 

Spring Flowering Trees: Pretty in Pink and White

Spring Flowering Trees

As spring approaches it is time to access the garden and plan for the upcoming season. Do you have any spring flowering landscape plants? Spring blooming trees are a welcome and desired sight in the landscape, and there are many varieties that can add lasting beauty, while starting the season off right in your garden. In this article I will discuss some of the landscape trees that I have found to be most successful and that will add early blooms and in some cases fragrance to your space.

Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula' (Weeping Cherry)
Height 20-30', Width 15-20'  
Cold Hardy to Zone 4
Full Sun

The first is Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula', otherwise known as Weeping Cherry.  Weeping Cherry is sure to be a favorite in the landscape with its open graceful weeping habit and soft pink flowers to be welcomed in spring.  This tree grows to be moderately wide (15-20 feet) so be sure to give adequate space. I would recommend this tree as a stand alone piece with understory plantings. It looks beautiful as a focal point on a raised berm area and is a show stopper when displayed at the entrance of a property.

Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan' (Kwanzan Cherry)
Height and Width 20-30 '
Cold Hardy to Zone 5
Full Sun

Kwanzan Cherry Blossom

Next is the well known 'Kwanzan' Cherry. 'Kwanzan' Cherry are magnificent trees producing large double-pink flowers in early spring. The dense vase shaped branch structure of the tree along with its deep mahogany-colored bark makes it majestic.  Plant this tree as a single specimen or in a grouping for a more dramatic effect. 'Kwanzan' Cherry is adaptable to seashore conditions and is somewhat 'drought tolerant'.  It is definitely a favorite of many a gardener. Give this beauty plenty of space to grow!

Prunus subhirtella 'Snofozam' (Weeping Snow Fountain Cherry)
Height 6-12', Width 6-8'
Cold Hardy to Zone 4
Full Sun

'Snofozam' Cherry is a popular spring flowering tree used in residential landscapes.  This smaller variety of Weeping Cherry makes it perfect for smaller spaces. It displays delicate white flowers on cascading branches in early spring. Its compact form and height of 6-12 feet makes it excellent addition as an anchor plant in a foundation planting. I would definitely recommend this tree as a welcomed addition to your landscape.

Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud' (Thundercloud Plum)
Height and Width 15-25'
Cold Hardy to Zone 4
Full Sun 

Prunus cerasifera 'Thundercloud' (Thundercloud Plum) Spring Blossom

An extremely versatile tree, 'Thundercloud' Plum displays mildly fragrant light pink flowers in spring followed by deep burgundy foliage that lasts well into fall.  This tree has attributes that continue throughout the entire season. Display Thundercloud Plum as a single anchor specimen in a foundation planting or in a group planting such as on a raised island bed.  It will be sure to add years of enjoyment to your landscape. Another variety is 'Krater Vesuvius' with even more pronounced burgundy foliage.

Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star' (Star Magnolia)
Height and Width 12-20'
Cold Hardy to Zone 4
Full Sun

'Star' Magnolia displays fragrant white star-like flowers in early spring followed by green foliage. Magnolia 'Royal Star' grows as wide as it is tall and can be regularly pruned to keep a compact shape. This tree fits in very nicely as as addition to a poolscape garden as seen here and will welcome spring with its wonderful fragrance. Magnolia forms catkin-looking buds in late winter which are an additional attribute. 

Magnolia stellata 'Royal Star' (Star Magnolia) Spring Blossom

Magnolia liliflora 'Jane' (Lily Magnolia)
Height 20-25', Width 15-20'
Cold Hardy to Zone 5
Full Sun

This beautiful more upright form of Magnolia displays fragrant purple and white tulip-shaped flowers in May followed by deep green foliage and on a rounded branch structure. It serves nicely as a stand alone piece or in a woodland garden setting. Its delicate and beautiful blooms make it a conversation piece in the garden.

Pyrus calleryana 'Cleveland Select' (Ornamental Pear)
Height 25-40', Width 15-20'
Cold Hardy to Zone 5
Full Sun

Pyrus calleryana 'Cleveland Select' (Ornamental Pear) Spring Blossom

Ornamental Pear has become a popular landscape plant in both commercial and residential areas over the past several years. 'Traditionally Bradford Pear' was the species widely planted but has been found to notorious for overweight branches that break in high winds.  An improved variety known as 'Cleveland Select' displays a more narrow upright form that is superior for flower production and better structure. The tree is covered in pure white blossoms in early spring followed by green foliage throughout the rest of the season. Ornamental Pear display nicely as a single specimen planting or planted in groupings for maximum impact.

Cornus 'Kousa' (Japanese Dogwood)

Height and Width 15-25'

Cold Hardy to Zone 5

Full Sun to Partial Shade

Japanese Dogwood is a beautiful late spring-early summer flowering tree that can be used in a variety of landscape settings. The tree has a characteristic rounded appearance at maturity and displays long lasting flat white flowers that give way to rounded strawberry-like fruit in fall, which is enjoyed by wildlife. 'Kousa' Dogwood has proven to be more disease resistant than the pink variety and is the perfect size to be used as an anchor tree in a foundation planting and also serves nicely as part of a natural woodland planting. It is sure to fit into a variety of landscapes and supply years of enjoyment.

To welcome spring with early blooms and fragrance try adding one or more of these beautiful trees to your outdoor space. They will be sure to supply years of enjoyment and be a welcomed sight when the warm weather arrives.

Visit my Author Page & Books!

A Guide to Northeastern Gardening: Journeys of a Garden Designer Zones 3-9

Landscape Design Combinations

Dream, Garden, Grow!-Musings of a Lifetime Gardener 

Gardening by Month: A Monthly Guide to Planning the Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic Garden

Shade Gardening for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

"As Always...Happy Gardening!" 

Author: Lee @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2010-2023. All rights reserved. 

Wisteria sinensis (Chinese): Feature Spring Flowering Tree

Wisteria sinensis (Chinese)

I started this Chinese Wisteria about fifteen years ago as a series of narrow vines that I had woven together and staked until they grew into a significant  trunk that no longer needed support.  Today this beautiful Wisteria is a focal point in my backyard garden.  Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis 'Chinese') is a deciduous tree hardy in zones 5-10 that prefers full sun to partial shade.  It tolerates a variety of soil types from slightly acidic to slightly basic (pH 6.1 to 7.8) making it very versatile.  It prefers a moist yet well-drained soil and not too much water. Wisteria can be grown as a climbing vine on an arbor or trellis or can be trained into a free standing tree.  Either way it is just as magnificent.

Wisteria sinensis (Chinese)

Wisteria displays fragrant violet-lavender blooms in early spring (April-May) followed by wispy light green smooth foliage and purple-green fuzzy seed pods in late summer.  Wisteria range in height and size from about 15 to 20 feet in stature by 20 to 30 feet wide.  They can be trained to remain smaller like the one pictured here which is 8 feet tall by 10 feet in width or to any height as desired. 

Wisteria does not require much maintenance but should be regularly pruned to maintain its tree like appearance.  Seeds self sow freely or can be dried out and planted to start new plants.  Wisteria can also be propagated from woody stem cuttings.

If  you are looking for a fragrant and colorful spring bloomer then this is the tree for you.  I have enjoyed my Wisteria for may years and look forward to its outstanding spring blooms.

As always...Happy gardening!

Author:  Lee@ A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, copyright 2012.