Types of Viburnum

With over 150 different species, viburnum is an unfussy shrub to grow for its stunning spring-blooming flowers and bright green foliage. Viburnum is classified as being deciduous, evergreen or semi-evergreen. This low-maintenance shrub prefers moist, fertile soils but can withstand dry soils, making it a very versatile shrub. The fall foliage of the viburnum is fiery in color to create a brilliant hedgerow. Nestled along a garden border, the viburnum stands out.

Sargent Viburnum

Sargent viburnum is a deciduous shrub that grows up to 15 feet tall and wide for a striking shrub to grow along the landscape. Sargent shrub has an upright, rounded form with white lace-like flowers. The flowers are flat topped and range from 3 to 4 inches wide. Sargent viburnum has lustrous dark green leaves that grow 2 to 5 inches long. In the fall the leaves change to a reddish-yellow color and the scarlet colored berries emerge. Sargent viburnum requires sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. The USDA hardiness zone is 3b to 7.

Nannyberry Viburnum

This drought tolerant deciduous shrub has a moderate to rapid growth rate and medium texture. The nannyberry grows up to 18 feet tall and 10 feet wide and has arching, narrow branches that open with age. The creamy white flower blooms are flat topped and grow between 3 and 4 inches long. Beginning in the fall, the nannyberry produces fruit that is blackish blue in color. Nannyberry viburnum have long, dark green leaves that grow between 2 to 4 inches long and turn a reddish purple each fall. This hardy shrub requires sun to part shade and can be grown in a range of soil types. The USDA hardiness zone is 3 to 7.

Tea Viburnum

The tea viburnum is a slow growing variety with medium to course texture. The upright, vase-shaped form is stiff and becomes leggy with age. The long, bluish green leaves grow up to 6 inches and turn reddish purple in the fall. The flower on the tea viburnum is flat-topped and white and grow up to 2 inches long, producing bright red berries in the fall. Tea viburnum grows up to 12 feet tall and 8 feet wide, creating a bright focal point to the landscape. It requires sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soils. The leaves of the tea viburnum are used to make teas, hence the name tea viburnum. The USDA hardiness zone is 5 to 7b.