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Small Viburnum Viburnum obovatum 'Seneca'

Description

Walter's Viburnum is a SE USA native large shrub or small tree that is densely twiggy and upright ascending. it is not native to NC but could easily grow in southern Piedmont and coastal areas of the state. It is evergreen to semi-evergreen with a dense rounded form. Its native habitat is the coastal plains in hammocks, thickets, and swamp margins. This plant is slightly salt tolerant. Even though its native range is zones 8-9, it will grow in zones 7-10.

The small leaves add varying amounts of purple color in fall and remain semi-evergreen to evergreen in warm winter climates. Tiny, white, 5-petaled flowers in dome-shaped clusters bloom in early spring. Oval blue-black fruits follow and mature in fall. 

Plant in full sun to partial shade in average, moist, well-drained soils, the plant appreciating some afternoon shade. Grow along ponds or bogs in sunny or woodland sites.

'Seneca' is a cultivar in the Viburnaceae (viburnum) family.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.  

 

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#deciduous#deciduous shrub#rabbit resistant#fast growing#wind tolerant#deer resistant#evergreen shrub#evergreen tree#wet soils tolerant#showy#long lived
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#deciduous#deciduous shrub#rabbit resistant#fast growing#wind tolerant#deer resistant#evergreen shrub#evergreen tree#wet soils tolerant#showy#long lived
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Viburnum
    Species:
    obovatum
    Family:
    Viburnaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Can be grown as a shrub or a tree.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Native to the US
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds and other wildlife eat the fruits. Host plant for Celastrina ladon or spring azure butterfly. Other butterflies and bees are drawn to the blooms.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Buffer
    Easy to Grow
    Screening
    Wildlife Food Source
    Wildlife Nesting
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Description:
    Flowers can be found on this shrub/tree at the branch tips while the leaves are developing.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Street Tree
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil