Siebold Viburnum is an easy to grow shrub from Japan with stiff erect branches and an open habit that can also be grown as a small tree. Prefers moist well-drained soils and is adaptable to most soil types and pHs. Leaf scorch can happen in drought conditions. It blooms heavily with creamy white flowers that become red to black berries. The fall color is reliable. This plant does best in cool summer climates and should not be planted beyond zone 7. 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.
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); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Open; Rounded
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
2-5 inch oval glossy bright green leaves with serrated margins have reliable reddish-purple fall color. Undersides are paler with hairs. Has an unpleasant aroma when crushed.
Fall color
Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Gold/Yellow; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Saucer
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Creamy white flowers are borne in profusion in spring on 3-6 inch flat-topped cymes. Individual flowers are 5-petaled with long stamens. They can have an unpleasant aroma.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
0.3 to 0.5 in. rose-red drupe that turns black on red stems. Persists into winter.
Bark color
Dark Gray
Bark detail
Gray alligator-like bark
Stem color
Gray/Silver
Stem detail
Stout gray stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Japan
Wildlife value
Fruit attracts birds and is mildly resistant to deer.
Attracts
Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Drupe
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Pond
Landscape theme
Rain Garden
Design feature
Border; Hedge; Screen/Privacy; Small groups; Specimen