Linden Viburnum Viburnum dilatatum
- Phonetic Spelling
- vih-BUR-num dil-uh-TAY-tum
- Description
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The linden viburnum in the Viburnaceae (moschatel) family is a shrub native to Asia and gets it's common name because its leaves resemble those of the linden tree. It will grow 8-10 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. This shrub will sucker and form thickets that suppress native vegetation so please consider a native Viburnum or at least one with less invasive tendencies.
The clusters of white flowers in spring are followed by red drupes that mature to black in fall and winter. It grows in average moist well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade and is somewhat drought tolerant once established. Native viburnums are a better choice as this plant tends to become weedy, creating dense thickets and shading out native plants. It is considered to be invasive in some states.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Weedy. Considered to be invasive in VA, MD and PA. See native alternatives listed to the left.
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:
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- 'Catskill'
6 foot tall and 8 foot wide with yello, orange and red fall color - 'Iroquois'
Profusion of large deep red fruits on 8-10 foot shrubs - 'Michael Dodge'
Heavy production of bright yellow fruit on 8-10 foot shrubs - 'Mt Airy'
Smaller variety - 'Catskill'
- 'Catskill', 'Iroquois', 'Michael Dodge', 'Mt Airy', 'Oneida'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Catskill'
6 foot tall and 8 foot wide with yello, orange and red fall color - 'Iroquois'
Profusion of large deep red fruits on 8-10 foot shrubs - 'Michael Dodge'
Heavy production of bright yellow fruit on 8-10 foot shrubs - 'Mt Airy'
Smaller variety - 'Catskill'
- 'Catskill', 'Iroquois', 'Michael Dodge', 'Mt Airy', 'Oneida'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Viburnum
- Species:
- dilatatum
- Family:
- Viburnaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia
- Wildlife Value:
- The fruit is a good winter food source attracting birds. This plant is mildly resistant to damage by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- showy large clusters of 1/3 inch red berries in fall. May persist into winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 3 to 5 in. flattened flower cluster in late spring of 1/4 inch creamy-white flowers 5 petaled individual flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 2-5 inch long and 1-2.5 inch wide dark green leaves with a rounded or somewhat cordate base, short-acuminate tip and margins coarsely dentate with a wrinkly appearance. Hairs are present on both surfaces. Leaf shape can vary from nearly round to more strap-like on the same plant. Fall color is bronze to dull reds.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- Gray-brown bark
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- stems are brown with prominent orange lenticels and densely hairy.
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Problems:
- Weedy
