Walter's Viburnum is a shrub native to the southeast US that is densely twiggy and upright ascending. While it is not found naturally in North Carolina, it can 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. Several species of moths as well as the larval Azure butterfly ( Celastrina ladon ) feed on the leaves and flowers. 'St. Paul' 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.
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.
Fills a similar nicheCeanothus americanusCercis canadensis subsp. texensis 'Traveller'Viburnum obovatum 'Mrs. Schiller' s Delight'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
NC region
Coastal
Growth rate
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate; Spatulate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The dark green leaves may be slightly toothed along the margins.
Flower size
< 1 inch
Fruit color
Black; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The red drupes will turn black as they mature.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
US native
Wildlife value
Several species of moths as well as the azure butterfly feed on the leaves and flowers.