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Viburnum nudum

Previously known as:

  • Viburnum cassinoides
  • Viburnum cassinoides var. harbisonii
  • Viburnum cassinoides var. nitidum
  • Viburnum nitidum
  • Viburnum nitidum Aiton
Phonetic Spelling
vih-BUR-num NEW-doom
Description

Smooth Witherod is a native deciduous shrub growing in savannas, low, wet woods and bogs and may reach 12 feet tall and wide. It prefers sun to part shade in acidic, moist, well-drained soils but can be adaptable.

The opposite wavy-edged leaves are nicer leaves than some viburnums with good fall color. The blooms are showy and fragrant in flat-topped clusters and give way to showy berries of various colors. Berry production is best if more than one shrub is planted. The bark is smooth and gray-brown with a few raised warty lenticels. 

Plant in acidic moist to occasionally wet sites in full sun to partial shade along ponds, streams and bogs and in water or rain gardens

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.  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:
  • 'Angustifolium'
  • 'Brandy wine'
  • 'Winterthur'
'Angustifolium', 'Brandy wine', 'Winterthur'
Tags:
#fragrant#deciduous#rain garden#shrub#native shrub#low maintenance#showy fruits#low lying area#pond margins#fire low flammability#NC native#native garden#larval host plant#food source summer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains OBL#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#Audubon#hedge#wildlife friendly#collier preserve tn
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Angustifolium'
  • 'Brandy wine'
  • 'Winterthur'
'Angustifolium', 'Brandy wine', 'Winterthur'
Tags:
#fragrant#deciduous#rain garden#shrub#native shrub#low maintenance#showy fruits#low lying area#pond margins#fire low flammability#NC native#native garden#larval host plant#food source summer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains OBL#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#Audubon#hedge#wildlife friendly#collier preserve tn
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Viburnum
    Species:
    nudum
    Family:
    Viburnaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    It is a potential host plant for the Spring Azure butterfly and hummingbird clearwing moths. Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, grouse, wild turkeys and squirrel. Its twigs and leaves are browsed by white-tailed deer.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    fire in the landscape. Heat, drought, and soil compaction tolerant.
    Edibility:
    Ripe drupes can be used in jams.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    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)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Green
    Pink
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Description:
    Light pink to deep pink to blue to purplish-black fruits appear in fall. The clusters will have all colors appearing at the same time. They are acidic but edible. Display from August to October.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flat-topped clusters of creamy white blooms appear in April-May.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    4 inch long glossy dark green leaves. Fall color is sometimes reddish-purple.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Bark Description:
    Smooth grey-brown bark with a few warty lenticels.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Bud Scales:
    Enclosed in 2 scales
    Stem Description:
    Slender, reddish-brown, shiny stems. Buds are valvate, slender and up to 1/2 inch long, scruffy pinkish brown
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Pond
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Fire
    Wet Soil