Plant DetailShow Menu

Native alternative(s) for Viburnum odoratissimum:
Viburnum acerifolium Form
Viburnum dentatum Viburnum dentatum
Viburnum nudum Form
Viburnum rufidulum Viburnum rufidulum bloom in spring
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Hamamelis virginiana Leaves
Photinia serratifolia Form
Syringa pubescens subsp. patula Syringa patula
Viburnum odoratissimum has some other problems:
Purple Mite

Viburnum odoratissimum

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
vih-BUR-num oh-dor-uh-TISS-ee-mum
Description

Sweet Viburnum is an Asian evergreen shrub that can be grown as a shrub or small tree. In the northern edge of its zone, it may be semi-evergreen to deciduous. Large, leathery, dark green, glossy leaves and clusters of extremely fragrant, small, white flowers, completely covering the plant in springtime, make this plant a desirable landscape shrub. It will grow up to 20 feet tall and wide and prefers full sun with some afternoon shade. It is moderately drought tolerant once established.

Plant in moist well-drained soils in sun to partial shade as a foundation plant, in hedges or borders or open woodland sites of large yards or public places. Make sure you have enough room for this large shrub as over-pruning will make it leggy and unattractive.

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:
  • var awabuki
var awabuki
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#small tree#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#shrub#large shrub#foundation planting#fruits fall#screening#partial shade tolerant#hedge#woodland
 
Form
Form kari_cousins CC BY-NC 4.0
Viburnum odoratissimum
Form JC Raulston Arboretum
Form
Form Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Flowers of var odoratissim
Flowers of var odoratissim KENPEI CC BY-SA 3.0
Viburnum odoratissimum var. awabuki
Red leaves JC Raulston Arboretum
Underside of leaf
Underside of leaf Hugo To CC BY-NC 4.0
Leaf and flower bud
Leaf and flower bud Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Viburnum odoratissimum
Leaf Close-up Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Viburnum odoratissimum
Winter Damage Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • var awabuki
var awabuki
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#small tree#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#shrub#large shrub#foundation planting#fruits fall#screening#partial shade tolerant#hedge#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Viburnum
    Species:
    odoratissimum
    Family:
    Viburnaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    India, Asia
    Wildlife Value:
    Butterflies attracted to flowers
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Rounded
    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)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    1/4 inch red to black drupes. Non-showy and little wildlife value
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Description:
    Fragrant, small, funnel-shaped white flowers, which bloom in conical terminal panicles.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Large, leathery, opposite 4-8 inches long and 2-4 inches wide olive green leaves with entire margins or a few teeth and pinnate venation. No fall color.
  • Bark:
    Bark Description:
    The bark is thin and easily damaged from mechanical impact.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought