Viburnum carlesii

Flowering shrubs that herald spring’s arrival are always appreciated by homeowners. Korean spice viburnum is one plant that aims to please, with its pinkish-white flowers and heady fragrance.

This viburnum’s flower display usually hits a high note in April, with dense flower clusters up to 3 inches in diameter. The showy display is accompanied by a spicy, sweet fragrance that can be detected from several feet away.

Foliage comes to the forefront during summer. Dense and attractive gray-green leaves add impact to mass plantings and borders. In fall, some plants will have a reddish or burgundy color. Korean spice viburnum’s fruit -- small, egg-shaped drupes favored by birds-- typically appears from August to September. Fruit is initially red and changes to bluish-black as it matures.

Korean spice viburnum usually reaches 3-4 feet tall with an equal width. It has a rounded habit and a relatively slow growth rate. The plant prefers well-drained, somewhat acidic soil and full sun to partial shade. However, some sources report that this viburnum will adapt to clay soil and drought conditions.

Solid seller

Danielle Ernest, public relations and marketing assistant for Spring Meadow Nursery in Grand Haven, Mich., said the nursery continues to see good demand for Korean spice viburnum. The nursery provides liners of this plant to dozens of growers each season.

“This is one of our strongest sellers every year, and due to it being hard to overwinter because of Rhizoctonia -- root rot -- we tend to lose many plants during the winter and cannot meet the demand,” Ernest said. “So it’s extremely important for wholesale liner growers to have the product available to meet demand of wholesale and retail growers.”

According to Spring Meadow Nursery, a 2 1/4-inch liner will finish in a 1 gallon in 10 to 14 weeks with two shears. A 2 gallon finishes in 16 to 18 weeks with three to four shears. Pests and disease typically aren’t a problem during production. However, Spring Meadow encourages growers to keep an eye out for broad mites.

The nursery uses a 17-5-12 slow release fertilizer on Korean spice viburnum during the growing season. In the winter, plants are drenched about every six weeks to prevent Pythium and Rhizoctonia.

Notable cultivars

Several Viburnum carlesii varieties are popular among growers and gardeners:

‘Compactum,’ is a dwarf variety that reaches 2 1/2-3 1/2 feet tall. It was introduced by Hoogendoorn Nurseries in Middleton, R.I., in 1953.

‘ Aurora’ is a newer selection offering an outstanding flower display. Clusters are larger with pink-white flowers emerging from deep-pink buds. ‘ Aurora’ can grow 8 feet tall.

‘Cayuga,’ is another compact form. It’s actually a hybrid of V. carlesii and V. carcephalum. Leaves are smaller and darker.

For more: Spring Meadow Nursery, (800) 633-8859; www.springmeadownursery.com.

Specifics

Name: Viburnum carlesii

Common name: Korean spice viburnum.

Family: Caprifoliaceae.

Description: Deciduous, highly fragrant flowering shrub. Korean spice viburnum has a rounded habit and slow growth rate, adding less than 12 inches a year.

Propagation: Cuttings or seed.

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7.

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Uses: Suitable for borders and mass plantings in full sun to partial shade.

- Sarah Martinez

March 2008