Viburnum davidii (f)

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David laburnum

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David laburnum John Fielding
Shrubs
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A small spreading evergreen shrub, with elliptic, deep green, leathery, three-veined leaves and flattened heads of small dull white flowers. These selected plants are predominantly female, and if cross-pollinated produce long-lasting 'metallic' blue-black berries

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Viburnaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy, Spreading branched
Potentially harmful
Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamentalnot to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Viburnum can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs with opposite, simple or palmately lobed leaves and clusters of small, often fragrant white or pink flowers, followed by red, blue or black berries
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
China (W Sichuan)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade, with protection from cold, drying winds. Plant with other (ideally predominantly male) plants of the same species to ensure cross-pollination and berry production

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in a cold frame in autumn, by semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or by grafting in late summer or winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover

Pruning

Pruning group 8 (evergreens)

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and viburnum beetle

Diseases

May be susceptible to Phytophthora, honey fungus, grey moulds and leaf spot