Walter's Viburnum is a SE USA native large shrub or small tree that is densely twiggy and upright ascending. it is not native to NC but could easily grow in southern Piedmont and coastal areas of the state. It is evergreen to semi-evergreen with a dense rounded form. Its native habitat is the coastal plains in hammocks, thickets, and swamp margins. This plant is slightly salt tolerant. Even though its native range is zones 8-9, it will grow in zones 7-10. The small leaves add varying amounts of purple color in fall and remain semi-evergreen to evergreen in warm winter climates. Tiny, white, 5-petaled flowers in dome-shaped clusters bloom in early spring. Oval blue-black fruits follow and mature in fall. Plant in full sun to partial shade in average, moist, well-drained soils, the plant appreciating some afternoon shade. Grow along ponds or bogs in sunny or woodland sites. 'Seneca' is a cultivar in the Viburnaceae (viburnum) family. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases. More information on Viburnum obovatum .
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.
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; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Rounded
Foliage
Deciduous
Hairs present
No
Flower color
White
Flower value
Showy
Flower detail
Flowers can be found on this shrub/tree at the branch tips while the leaves are developing.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Native to the US
Wildlife value
Birds and other wildlife eat the fruits. Host plant for Celastrina ladon or spring azure butterfly. Other butterflies and bees are drawn to the blooms.