Chindo Viburnum Viburnum awabuki 'Chindo' Play pronunciation

‘Chindo’ viburnum is an upright, dense, woody, broadleaf evergreen shrub in the viburnum family (Viburnaceae). It was collected by J.C. Raulston of the North Carolina State University Arboretum from Jindo, South Korea, in 1985. The specific epithet was adopted from a common name.

For best growth, plant in moist, slightly acid, well-drained, fertile soil with full sun to partial shade. Provide some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Too much shade results in fewer flowers and less dense branches. It grows rapidly to 10 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. Next season’s fruit grows on old growth. Prune at most one-third of the shrub after flowering. Once established, it is drought-tolerant. It is mildly resistant to deer damage. 

This shrub was named a J.C. Raulston Arboretum Choice Plant in 2003. The clusters of tiny white flowers are fragrant and bloom in late spring. It attracts bees, butterflies, pollinators and songbirds. In the fall, heavy clusters of red berries provide food for wildlife. In the colder climates, the glossy green leaves are semi-evergreen. The lower branches can be trimmed to create a small single-trunked tree.  

Create an evergreen hedge or screen with ‘Chindo’. Plant it as a large accent shrub, evergreen hedge or screen. It can be used in borders, or open woodlands in a sunny location and in drought-tolerant and pollinator gardens. 

Quick ID Hints:

• It is an evergreen shrub with large, waxy leaves.
• The flowers are white in rounded corymbs.
• The leaves are remotely toothed, leathery.

Insects, Diseases and Other Potential Problems: Aphids, spider mites, purple mites, root weevil adults and thrips may occasionally feed on the foliage. Bacterial leaf spots, mildews (powdery mildew and downy mildew), and crown gall can occur. Fungal and algal leaf spots and anthracnose can be found on viburnum foliage. Armored scales can cause branch dieback.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a fact sheet on common pests and diseases.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology,” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

More information on Viburnum.