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Chesapeake Viburnum Viburnum x carlcephalum 'Chesapeake'

Other Common Name(s):

Description

Introduced in 1962 by Donald Egolf of the US National Arboretum, ‘Chesapeake’ is a cultivar of the hybrid cross of the medium size deciduous shrub fragrant snowball.  This plant is in the Viburnaceae (viburnum) family.  

Its numerous tiny flowers form an attractive snowball on this plant.  They begin in the spring as pink buds that will open to lightly fragrant white flowers.

The leathery dark green foliage lasts well into the fall months, making this plant semi-evergreen.  

Pruning should be completed soon after flowering, as flower buds for the next year form in the summer of the current year.  If pruning is done at that time, the plant will not produce fruits in the fall.  

Its habit is low growing, it will grow wider than tall, making it a great choice for planting under power lines.  

To produce fruits, this plant needs a different plant of the same species nearby.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues.  Bacterial leaf spot and powdery mildew can occur.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and disease.

More information on Viburnum x carlcephalum.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#semi-evergreen#deciduous shrub#low maintenance#windbreak#wind tolerant#multistemmed#spreading#deer resistant#compact habit#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#dry soils intolerant#compact#wet soils intolerant#dense growth#broadleaf#fall color#dense#butterfly garden#hedge#screen
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#semi-evergreen#deciduous shrub#low maintenance#windbreak#wind tolerant#multistemmed#spreading#deer resistant#compact habit#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#dry soils intolerant#compact#wet soils intolerant#dense growth#broadleaf#fall color#dense#butterfly garden#hedge#screen
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Viburnum
    Family:
    Viburnaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Use as an accent or plant multiple to form a border.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds feast on the fruits while bees and butterflies visit the flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Buffer
    Fragrance
    Screening
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Rounded
    Spreading
    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:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Dull red berries turn black when mature.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Pink buds will open in the spring to form white flowers. The flowers have a light fragrance.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The wavy edged leaves are dark grey-green. The fall will bring on a burgundy display.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Multi-stemmed
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Wind