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Linden Viburnum Viburnum dilatatum

Phonetic Spelling
vih-BUR-num dil-uh-TAY-tum
Description

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:
  • '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'
  • 'Oneida' Form in bloom
    Smaller variety
'Catskill', 'Iroquois', 'Michael Dodge', 'Mt Airy', 'Oneida'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#drought tolerant#showy fruits#deer resistant#red fruits#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#weed#wildlife friendly
 
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'
  • 'Oneida' Form in bloom
    Smaller variety
'Catskill', 'Iroquois', 'Michael Dodge', 'Mt Airy', 'Oneida'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#drought tolerant#showy fruits#deer resistant#red fruits#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#weed#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    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
    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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Bark Description:
    Gray-brown bark
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Problems:
    Weedy