The linden viburnum in the viburnum family (Viburnaceae) is a shrub native to Asia and gets its common name because its leaves resemble those of the linden tree. It will grow 8-10 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. This shrub will sucker and form thickets that suppress native vegetation, so please consider a native Viburnum or at least one with less invasive tendencies. The clusters of white flowers in spring are followed by red drupes that mature to black in fall and winter. It grows in average, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade and is somewhat drought-tolerant once established. Native viburnums are a better choice, as this plant tends to become weedy, creating dense thickets that shade out native plants. The North Carolina Invasive Plant Council considers this species to be a significant potential threat to NC ecosystems. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Weedy. Considered to be invasive in some states. See native alternatives listed to the left. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases. More information on Viburnum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Similar, less problematicViburnum deamii All That Glitters® 'SMVDLS'Viburnum deamii All That Glows® 'SMVDBL'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Obovate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
2-5 inch long and 1-2.5 inch wide dark green leaves with a rounded or somewhat cordate base, short-acuminate tip and margins coarsely dentate with a wrinkly appearance. Hairs are present on both surfaces. Leaf shape can vary from nearly round to more strap-like on the same plant. Fall color is bronze to dull reds.
Fall color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Cream/Tan; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Star; Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
3 to 5 in. flattened flower cluster in late spring of 1/4 inch creamy-white flowers 5 petaled individual flowers.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
showy large clusters of 1/3 inch red berries in fall. May persist into winter.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray
Bark detail
Gray-brown bark
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Stem detail
stems are brown with prominent orange lenticels and densely hairy.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Asia
Wildlife value
The fruit is a good winter food source attracting birds. This plant is mildly resistant to damage by deer.