Strader's Plant Finder

Other Names:  Possum Haw, Smooth Witherod

Description:

An exquisite garden shrub with numerous attributes; showy flat-topped clusters of creamy white flowers in spring followed by masses of blue-black fruit in fall and consistent fall color; a compact low maintenance plant, ideal for the shrub border

Ornamental Features

Winterthur Viburnum is bathed in stunning fragrant creamy white flat-top flowers at the ends of the branches in late spring. The royal blue fruits are held in abundance in spectacular clusters from late summer to late winter. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The glossy oval leaves turn an outstanding burgundy in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Winterthur Viburnum is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Winterthur Viburnum is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Winterthur Viburnum will grow to be about 7 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 7 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.