Viburnum odoratissimum var. arboricola

RHS Plant Profile

tree-dwelling sweet viburnum

Synonyms

Viburnum odoratissimum misapplied
Viburnum arboricolum
Viburnum arboricola

Shrubs Trees

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A large evergreen shrub or small tree, up to 5m high, with warty bark and elliptic to oblong, papery green leaves that are shallowly serrated towards the tips and held on red stems. Large, cone-shaped clusters of small, very fragrant, bell-shaped white flowers are produced in summer, held on brown, slightly hairy stems, and followed by small, oval-shaped berries that turn red and then black as they mature

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 4-8 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): H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Viburnaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
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

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

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
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Hedging and screens

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