Small Viburnum Viburnum obovatum 'Mrs. Schiller's Delight'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Small Viburnum:
- Description
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'Mrs. Schiller's Delight' is a cultivar in the Viburnaceae (viburnum) family. It was introduced by Steve Reifler, a Florida nurseryman. He saw a resemblance to a dwarf youpon holly cultivar called 'Schilling', and associated that name to a friend of his, Mrs. Schiller. Thus, 'Mrs. Schiller's Delight' was named.
The common name is derived from Thomas Walter, a South Carolina farmer who hailed from England. He first described the species in the late 1700's.
Depending on the zone where grown, this shrub can be deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen. In zones 6 and 7, it will grow as a deciduous shrub, while progressing to evergreen as we head southward.
Although quite drought tolerant, in the wild, this cultivar can be found flourishing along sometimes flooded creeks, swamp edges and in forests that are near a river.
Typically growing to 3' tall, heights of up to 6' are not uncommon. Clones of this plant are formed from its rhizomes, stems formed underground. Over time, this plant can spread via its rhizomes to form colonies.
The optimum form of propagation is from stem cuttings. If grown from its seeds, it may not possess the same low growing properties as the plant where the seeds were collected.
This low maintenance plant only requires light pruning to maintain its compact habit.
A great plant for a pollinator garden, it is a food source for the larvae of the Azure (Celastrina ladon) butterfly.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease issues. It can send up unwanted suckers that may need to be removed.
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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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Viburnum
- Species:
- obovatum
- Family:
- Viburnaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Its compact habit make it well suited for a location where space is limited.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeast US
- Distribution:
- AL, GA, FL, SC
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds and fowl eat the fruits. Serves as a host plant for the azure butterfly. Bees are also attracted to the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Mounding
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The small red berries will tun black as they age. They are a favorite of a variety of birds as well as small wildlife.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The small flowers form on 2-3" long corymbs in late winter to early spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- In cooler climates, the leaves can take on a red/maroon color.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Multistemmed.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Heavy Shade
- Humidity
