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Viburnum davidii

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
vih-BUR-num duh-VID-ee-eye
Description

David viburnum is a dependable low, compact, shrub with gorgeous leaves and attractive flowers and fruit for almost year-round interest.  It tends to be evergreen but can be deciduous near the northern edge of its growing zones.  Plant several male and female plants to get good cross-pollination and you will have a great winter fruit display that will be relished by songbirds. Makes an effective hedge or natural screen, can be planted in borders or along foundations.  

It prefers sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Plant to protect from summer leaf scorch by giving it some afternoon shade in hot areas. The plant does tolerate pruning, but keep in mind that next season's blossoms will appear on old growth.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious insect or disease problems.  Can suffer leaf scorch in hot summer locations.

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

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#white flowers#shrub#spring flowers#winter interest#showy fruits#deer resistant#children's garden#foundation planting#playground plant#edible fruits#border planting#pollinator plant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#white flowers#shrub#spring flowers#winter interest#showy fruits#deer resistant#children's garden#foundation planting#playground plant#edible fruits#border planting#pollinator plant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Viburnum
    Species:
    davidii
    Family:
    Viburnaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Wildlife Value:
    Fruit attracts birds as a winter food source.  This plant is mildly resistant to damage by deer. Attracts butterflies
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Edible fruit
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Rounded
    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
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Green fruit turns iridescent pink to red then metallic blue and black on red stems and persists into winter.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Pink buds open creamy white on 2 to 3" clusters in spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Orange
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    2-6 inch long oval thick leathery dark blue-green leaves are deeply veined laterally and have variable fall colors of dull crimson, orange-red or purple.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems of drupes are red in fall
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Recreational Play Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Edible Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer