Viburnum obovatum 'St. Paul'
- Description
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Walter's Viburnum is a shrub native to the southeast US that is densely twiggy and upright ascending. While it is not found naturally in North Carolina, it can 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.
Several species of moths as well as the larval Azure butterfly (Celastrina ladon) feed on the leaves and flowers.
'St. Paul' 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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Viburnum
- Species:
- obovatum
- Family:
- Vibrunaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- US native
- Wildlife Value:
- Several species of moths as well as the azure butterfly feed on the leaves and flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Easy to Grow
- Screening
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- 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)
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The red drupes will turn black as they mature.
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Flowers:
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The dark green leaves may be slightly toothed along the margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
