Sweet Viburnum is an Asian evergreen shrub that can be grown as a shrub or small tree. In the northern edge of its zone (USDA 7 or less), it may be semi-evergreen to deciduous. Large, leathery, dark green, glossy leaves and clusters of extremely fragrant, small, white flowers, completely covering the plant in springtime, make this plant a desirable landscape shrub. It will grow up to 20 feet tall and wide and prefers full sun with some afternoon shade. It is moderately drought tolerant once established. Plant in moist well-drained soils in sun to partial shade as a foundation plant, in hedges or borders or open woodland sites of large yards or public places. Make sure you have enough room for this large shrub as over-pruning will make it leggy and unattractive. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: 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.
Fills a similar nicheGardenia jasminoides 'Crown Jewel'Hamamelis virginianaViburnum obovatum 'Raulston Hardy'
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
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Large, leathery, opposite 4-8 inches long and 2-4 inches wide olive green leaves with entire margins or a few teeth and pinnate venation. No fall color.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Funnel
Flower detail
Fragrant, small, funnel-shaped white flowers, which bloom in conical terminal panicles.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
1/4 inch red to black drupes. Non-showy and little wildlife value
Bark detail
The bark is thin and easily damaged from mechanical impact.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
India, China, and Taiwan
Wildlife value
Butterflies attracted to flowers
Attracts
Butterflies
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Drupe
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Woodland
Design feature
Barrier; Border; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Screen/Privacy
Garden tags
#foundation planting #showy flowers #fruits fall #shrub #fragrant flowers #evergreen #small tree #large shrub #full sun tolerant #partial shade tolerant #hedge #woodland #screen #bat friendly #moth friendly