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Bracted Viburnum Viburnum bracteatum

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
vih-BUR-num brak-tee-AH-tum
Description

Bracted Viburnum is a hardy broadleaf deciduous shrub with an upright habit and spreading arching branches. It is not an easy specimen to locate and is often confused with Viburnum dentatum but has more leathery leaves.  This plant is found in woodland areas of AL, GA and TN but is becoming rare due to limestone mining. In its natural habitat, it can be found growing in open woods and along rivers.  

The early summer flowers that form in 5" long cymes are showy but have an unpleasant odor.  They are followed but a showy purple drupe that the birds will eat. A full sun location will provide the most blooms, which occur on old wood.

Use this plant as a foundation shrub, in a shrub border, woodland setting, pollinator garden, cottage garden and to attract wildlife. Plant in well-drained clay or sandy loams. Tolerates poor soil, deer and rabbits.

The cultivar 'Emerald Luster' was selected by Dr. Michael Dirr from the University of Georgia and may be available for purchase.  

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  This plant cannot tolerate wet soil.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Emerale Luster'
    Shiny dark leaves and lower branching.
'Emerale Luster'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#drought tolerant#white flowers#deciduous shrub#rabbit resistant#showy fruits#deer resistant#pollinator plant#poor soils tolerant#bird friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Emerale Luster'
    Shiny dark leaves and lower branching.
'Emerale Luster'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#drought tolerant#white flowers#deciduous shrub#rabbit resistant#showy fruits#deer resistant#pollinator plant#poor soils tolerant#bird friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Viburnum
    Species:
    bracteatum
    Family:
    Viburnaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeast USA
    Distribution:
    AL, GA, TN
    Wildlife Value:
    The fruit attracts birds. Butterflies and bees are attracted to the flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Oval
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Blue-purple fruit in late summer
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Creamy-white flowers on 5" flat-topped cyme with conspicuous bractlets. Individual flowers have 5 petals and 5 stamens tipped with yellow anthers. The flowers have an unpleasant odor.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Orbicular
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    2-4" dark green leaves with bronze-yellow fall color. The underside of the leaves have hairs on the veins. Bases cordate or sub-cordate and margins with coarse teeth.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Bark Description:
    Smooth gray bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Thickly set stems that, over time, arch to form a rounded habit.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Poor Soil
    Rabbits