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Viburnum tinus

Phonetic Spelling
vih-BUR-num TIN-us
Description

Laurustine is a viburnum native to the Mediterranean areas of Europe and Africa and tolerates coastal conditions and is slightly salt-tolerant and drought tolerant. Blooms winter-spring with clusters of pink buds opening to white. The lustrous, dark-green leaves are nice year-round.  Fruit set requires another viburnum type to be planted nearby. Use this shrub as a specimen or hedge in full sun to partial shade.

Quick ID

  • Evergreen shrub with winter flowers in terminal cymes
  • Opposite, ovate leaves have hair tufts on the underside
  • Pink-budded flowers open to white
  • Metallic blue drupes mature to black

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 landscapes:
Pond and Stream Coastal Shade Garden Woodland Backyard Garden Walk
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Bewley's Variegated'
  • 'Gwenllian'
  • 'Lisa Rosa'
    Hardy, flowers are beautiful shades of pink
  • 'Spring Bouquet'
  • 'Variegatum'
'Bewley's Variegated', 'Gwenllian', 'Lisa Rosa', 'Spring Bouquet', 'Variegatum'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#shrub#salt tolerant#low maintenance#spring flowers#winter interest#cpp#deer resistant#border planting#spring interest#screening#pollinator plant#fantz#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#flowers late winter#bee friendly#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Bewley's Variegated'
  • 'Gwenllian'
  • 'Lisa Rosa'
    Hardy, flowers are beautiful shades of pink
  • 'Spring Bouquet'
  • 'Variegatum'
'Bewley's Variegated', 'Gwenllian', 'Lisa Rosa', 'Spring Bouquet', 'Variegatum'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#shrub#salt tolerant#low maintenance#spring flowers#winter interest#cpp#deer resistant#border planting#spring interest#screening#pollinator plant#fantz#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#flowers late winter#bee friendly#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Viburnum
    Species:
    tinus
    Family:
    Viburnaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mediterranean area of Europe and North Africa
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies, birds, and bees
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    This plant is mildly resistant to damage by deer; drought
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    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
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit is an ovoid, berry-like, one-seeded drupe, blue maturing to purplish-black, 0.4 in.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Pink buds open to 2 to 4 in. clusters of waxy flattened white flowers in late winter to early spring. The inflorescence is a convex terminal cyme.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Variegated
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves opposite, simple, narrowly ovate to oblong, entire, lustrous dark green above and paler with axillary hair tufts beneath; petiole usually pubescent.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Salt