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SWEETSHRUB
Athens
Common Sweetshrub
(Calycanthus floridus ‘Katherine’)—Selected for
tremendously fragrant, yellow flowers and
impressive, dark green foliage. Dense, mounded
habit. Also known as Carolina Allspice or
Strawberry Bush in reference to the fragrant
flowers. Height 6-8’, spread 8-10’.
Common Sweetshrub
(Calycanthus floridus)—Although not very common,
this plant is definitely worth checking out.
Unusual flowers are dark red to maroon in color,
about 2” across and have a wonderful fruity,
strawberry-banana-pineapple fragrance. Clear
yellow fall color. This would be a nice addition
into a mixed shrub/perennial border. Height
6-8’, spread 8-10’.Hartlage Wine Sweetshrub
(Calycanthus x raulstonii
‘Hartlage Wine’)—A stunning hybrid between the
Chinese Sweetshrub and its American counterpart,
the Carolina Allspice (also known as the Common
Sweetshrub). Produces 3” diameter, wine-colored,
magnolia-like flowers in the spring. Dark green
summer foliage. Height 6-8’, spread 6-8’.
Venus Sweetshrub
(Calycanthus x ‘Venus’)—This exciting hybrid was
produced by crossing Chinese Sweetshrub with our
North American native Common Sweetshrub.
Produces large magnolia-like flower early in the
summer with the fragrance of strawberries,
melons, and spices. Height 5-6’, spread 5-6’.
SWEETSPIRE
Henry’s Garnet Virginia Sweetspire
(Itea virginica ‘Henry’s Garnet’)—Beautiful,
fragrant white flowers up to 6” long in
June-July and bright green, lustrous foliage
that turns to shades of crimson, scarlet and
purple in the fall. The foliage tends to hang on
into mid-winter adding to appearance of the
winter landscape. Rounded, arching shrub. Height
3-5’, spread 4-6’. A 2001 Pride of Kansas
selection.
Little Henry Virginia Sweetspire
(Itea virginica ‘Sprich’)—A more compact
Sweetspire with excellent purple-red fall color.
Sweetly scented, pure white flowers in early
spring. Height 2-3’, spread 3-4’.
Scarlet Beauty Sweetspire
(Itea virginica ‘Morton’)—Large upright
selection that has proven to be more winter
hardy in northern climates than other
selections. Attractive white spire-like flowers
in early summer and scarlet fall color. Height
4-5’, spread 3-5’.
Shirley’s
Compact Virginia Sweetspire
(Itea virginica ‘Shirley’s Compact’)— Discovered
at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. An
extremely dwarf version of this ever popular
plant. White flowers late in the spring. Fall
color is orange with touches of red and yellow.
Height 12-18”, spread 18-24”.
VIBURNUM
Well-known horticulturist Michael Dirr once
wrote, “A garden without Viburnums is akin to
life without music and art,” and nothing could
be more true. Viburnums are very hardy and well
adapted to Kansas conditions. Depending on the
selection, they grow in full sun to considerable
shade and offer a tremendous variation of
floral, fruit, foliage and growth
characteristics. There really is a Viburnum for
almost every situation.
Arrowwood Viburnum
(Viburnum dentatum)—Lustrous, deep green foliage
forms a dense, rounded shrub. Creamy white
flowers in the spring, glossy red to
reddish-purple fall color and blue to blue-black
fruits that are good for wildlife make this an
excellent selection. This viburnum adapts well
to difficult sites.
‘Blue Blaze’ (‘Blubzam’)—A dense,
low-growing dwarf form with exceptional
ornamental characteristics. Lustrous green
summer foliage changing to deep wine-red in the
fall. Loads of creamy-white flowers in the
spring followed by an abundant display of blue
berries late in the season. Height 4-5’, spread
5-6’.
’Crimson Tide’ (‘KLMsix’)—A stunning plant,
selected for blazing red fall color, impressive
summer foliage and exceptional vigor. A
large-growing selection, perfect for the back of
a shrub border or for privacy plantings. Birds
love the fruits. Height 8-10’, spread 8-10’.
‘Deam’
(‘Deamii’)—Lustrous green foliage through the
summer changing to outstanding raspberry-red to
reddish-purple in the fall. Creamy-white flowers
in the spring followed by brilliant blue-black
fruits later in the season. Height 6-8’, spread
6-8’.
‘Papoose’
(‘Papzam’)—A more compact, dwarf form. A
great display of creamy-white flowers in the
spring followed by clusters of deep metallic
blue berries by late summer. Dark, rich green
foliage changes to burgundy-red and gold in the
fall. Height 4-5’, spread 4-5’.
‘Raspberry Tart’ (‘Rastzam’)––A compact, dwarf
form with stunning raspberry-red fall color.
Creamy-white flowers are followed by a heavy
crop of blue-black fruits. Very showy! A tough
little plant where space is more limited. Likes
moist soils. Height 4-5’, spread 4-5’.
‘Red Feather’ (‘J.N. Select’)—Selected for
both it’s impressive two-toned, maroon and rich
green spring foliage as well as it’s
reddish-purple fall color. Creamy-white flowers
followed by blue clusters of small berry-like
fruits. Height 8-10’, spread 10-12’.
Blackhaw Viburnum
(Viburnum prunifolium and related species)—An
extremely hardy Viburnum, useful as a very large
shrub or an attractive small tree. Creamy-white
flowers in the spring produce highly edible,
pinkish, rose to black fruits late in the summer
through the fall. Excellent burgundy fall
colors. Good for eating and great for birds.
Used for preserves since colonial times. Height
10-15’, spread 10-15’.
(tree forms available, see the TREE section)
NEW!—‘Emerald
Charm’ (V. rufidulum ‘Morton’)—A selection
introduced from the Morton Arboretum with good
cold hardiness and superior ornamental
characteristics. Impressive floral display and
outstanding burgundy fall color. Height 10-12’,
spread 8-10’.
‘Jack’
(V. x jackii)—This hybrid between Blackhaw and
Nannyberry Viburnum will vary in
characteristics, sharing traits from both
parents. Creamy-white flowers in the spring
followed by blue-black fruits later in the
season. Fruits better when planted in groupings.
Height 10-15’, spread10-15’.
‘Nannyberry’ (V. lentago)—A large
suckering shrub or small tree. Glossy, dark
green turns purplish-red in the fall.
Creamy-white flowers are followed by persistent
clusters of bluish-black fruits. Good winter
food for birds. Very adaptable plant. Will grow
in moist or dry soil, in sun or shade. Height
15-20’, spread 10-15’.
‘Ovation’ (V. prunifolium ‘Ovazam’)—A
narrow selection of this tough and durable
species. New growth has a nice rosy-pink hint to
it in the spring. A creamy-white display of
flowers in the spring is followed by an
impressive set of blue-black fruits later in the
summer. Perfect for hedge use. Height 8-10’,
spread 3-4’.
‘Royal Guard’ (V. rufidulum ‘Royal Guard’)—A
more upright, narrow-growing selection, with
attractive, lustrous dark green summer foliage,
changing to deep burgundy in the fall.
Attractive white flowers in the spring followed
by dark blue fruits. Height 10-12’, spread 5-6’.
‘Rusty Blackhaw’ (V. rufidulum)—A
handsome species with lustrous dark green
foliage. Clusters of creamy-white flowers in the
spring followed by clusters of dark blue fruits.
Leaves turn a rich burgundy in the fall. Makes
an attractive large shrub or small ornamental
tree. Tremendously tough! Height 10-15’, spread
10-15’.
Cranberrybush Viburnum
(Viburnum species)—The species included here all
share similar floral, fruit and foliage
characteristics. Leaves are 3-lobed like a
maple. Flowers are white and born in
lacecap-type structures consisting of center
cluster of small, fertile flowers surrounded by
large, showy, sterile flowers. Fruits are bright
red, small in size (1/4-1/3”), produced in large
clusters and obviously reminiscent of a
cranberry, hence the name, and birds love them.
‘Compact’ (V. opulus ‘Compactum’)—A compact form
of the European Cranberrybush Viburnum. Showy
white flowers in the spring followed by
scarlet-red fruits that persist through the
winter. Excellent for wildlife and landscape
plantings. Height 5-6’, spread 5-6’.
‘‘European’ (V. opulus)—Bright white clusters of
flowers in May followed by showy red fruits in
the summer that remain on the plant into the
winter. Foliage turns a reddish-purple in the
fall. Excellent border plant and a great choice
for wildlife plantings. Height 8-10’, spread
8-10’.
‘‘Onondaga’ (V. sargentii ‘Onondaga’)—This U.S.
National Arboretum introduction is one of the
nicest viburnums for unusual foliage color.
Newly emerging growth is a velvety, dark maroon
color, which contrast vividly with the more
mature green foliage. Flower buds are red
opening to white blooms blushed with pink. A
selection of Sargent Viburnum, an Asian
Cranberrybush Viburnum. Height 6-8’, spread
6-8’.
‘Tea’
(V. setigerum)—Considered one of the best viburnums for fruit display. Bright red fruits
are produced in abundance and put on a
spectacular show far into the fall. Plant in
groupings for improved fruiting. Great in shrub
borders and mixed plantings. Height 8-12’,
spread 6-10’.
‘Snowball’ (V. opulus ‘Roseum’)—An
old-time garden favorite! Produces a multitude
of large, 2 1/2-3”, snowball-like clusters of
flowers in the spring. It is easy to see why its
called Snowball Bush! This is actually a sterile
selection, so there is no fruit production.
Height 8-10’, spread 8-10’.
Doublefile Viburnum
(Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum)—This species
can be separated into two forms, the Doublefile
Viburnums (var. tomentosum) with their
lacecap-type flowers and the Japanese Snowball
Viburnums (straight species) with their
snowball-type flowers. Flowers on both are white
and produced in May, but only the Doublefiles
will then produce fruit, red to black, in July
to August. Fruits are excellent for attracting
birds! Horizontal growth habit on many forms
makes this plant look similar to Flowering
Dogwood. Fall color is usually impressive and is
usually reddish-purple. Plants benefit from a
little extra water through dry stretches of
summer weather.
‘Igloo’—A shorter, wide-spreading, compact
mounded selection with loads of white flower
clusters in the spring, giving it the look of an
igloo when in bloom. Sets good quantities of
dark red fruits through the summer. Impressive!
Height 6-8’, spread 10-12’.
NEW!—‘Magic
Puff’—A compact selection with an
outstanding display of lacecap flowers. Dark
green foliage through the summer, changing to
wine-red in the fall. Fruits are red, changing
to black. Height 4-5’, spread 5-6.
‘Maresii’—This is an improved Doublefile type
with large white spring flowers and excellent
reddish-purple fall color. Height 8-10’, spread
8-10’.
‘Newport’ (V. plicatum ‘Newzam’)—This is a
snowball-type with an extremely dense, rounded
form. Covered with white snowball-like flowers
in the spring. Leaves are much smaller than
other Doublefile forms. Leaves turn burgundy in
the fall. Height 5-6’, spread 5-6’.
‘Newport’ (V. plicatum ‘Newzam’)—This
is a snowball-type with an extremely dense,
rounded form. Covered with white snowball-like
flowers in the spring. Leaves are much smaller
than other Doublefile forms. Leaves turn
burgundy in the fall. Height 5-6’, spread 5-6’.
‘Popcorn’ (V. plicatum)—An
impressive selection with loads of small, round,
popcorn ball-like flowers lining the branches.
Wonderful in full bloom. Height 6-8’, spread
5-6’.
‘Shasta’—This is a wonderful dwarf selection
from the U.S. National Arboretum. Flowers,
fruit, and fall color are all outstanding!
Generally will grow twice as wide as tall.
Height 4-6’, spread 8-10’.
‘Summer Snowflake’—Clusters of white flowers
appear in the late spring and continue until
frost. Wonderful for its long blooming period.
We typically don’t see this form producing
fruit. Height 4-6’, spread 4-6’.
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Fragrant Viburnum
(Viburnum farreri)—A rather loose growing shrub
with clusters of fragrant, pinkish-white flowers
very early in the spring. Foliage is
bronzy-green in the spring, maturing to dark
green for the summer and changing to
reddish-purple for the fall. Height 8-12’,
spread 8-12’.
‘Dwarf’ (‘Nanum’)—A delightful, compact, dwarf
selection growing only 2-3’ tall. produces
fragrant, pinkish-white flowers very early in
the spring. Will occasionally produce some
flowers in the fall. Height 2-3’, spread 4-6’.
‘Pink Dawn’ (V. x bodnantense ‘Pink
Dawn’)—This Fragrant Viburnum hybrid is an early
blooming selection with fragrant, rose-budded
flowers that open to pink. Green leaves develop
a rich burgundy fall color. Height 6-8’, spread
6-7’.
Fragrant Snowball-Type Viburnum
(Viburnum species and hybrids.)—This is a
collection of several related species and their
numerous hybrids. While having slightly
different characteristics, they all do share
some similarities. In the spring all produce a
snowball type flower, ranging from 2” in
diameter to 5 and 6” in diameter depending on
the selection. Most have a fantastically, sweet,
spicy fragrance as well making them an absolute
must in the garden. All are attractive, full
shrubs, perfect for use in the landscape in a
variety of ways. Height and spread will vary
with selection.
‘Anne Russell’ (V. x burkwoodii ‘Anne
Russell’)—A compact-growing Korean Spice hybrid
with 3” diameter, fragrant, white flowers early
in the spring. A very tough selection introduced
from England in 1951. Height 5-6’, spread 6-8’.
‘Aurora’—A fantastic introduction by way
of Ireland. Rich deep pink buds open to
pinkish-white, wonderfully fragrant flowers in
clusters up to 5” across. Grafted here on a
standard to create a “tree”. Great where space
is limited and a small ornamental tree is
desired. Height 6-10’, spread 4-8’.
‘Burkwood’ (V. x burkwoodii)—A larger growing,
semi evergreen form. This fast-growing selection
produces large numbers of extremely fragrant,
2-3” diameter clusters of pure white flowers in
the spring. Summer foliage is glossy and dark
green. Height 8-10’, spread 8-10’.
‘Cayuga’ (V. x ‘Cayuga’)—A stunning hybrid with
very large (4-5” diameter) clusters of pure
white flowers. Exceedingly fragrant! Flower buds
start out with a pink color. Height 6-8’, spread
5-6’.
‘Compact’ (V. carlesi ‘Compactum’)—This Korean
Spice selection is one of the best dwarf forms
available. Beautifully fragrant, white flowers
in the spring followed by dark green foliage
through the summer, all in a more compact
package. Perfect for use where space is limited.
Height 2 1/2-3 1/2’, spread 2 1/2-3 1/2’.
‘Conoy’ (V. x burkwoodii ‘Conoy’)—A wonderful,
small Viburnum released from a U.S. National
Arboretum breeding program. This dense plant has
lustrous, dark green, semi evergreen foliage and
abundant, snowball like white flowers with
little or no fragrance. Has the potential for
heavy fruit production as well. Height 4-5’,
spread 5-8’.
‘‘Eskimo’ (V. x ‘Eskimo’)—A complex hybrid with a
nice compact, small habit. Great floral show in
the spring with an amazing display of 3-4”
diameter, pure white flower clusters.
Unfortunately flowers have little to no
fragrance, but the plant makes up for it with
the quantity of blooms produced. Summer foliage
is a rich, glossy green and semi-evergreen,
offering some winter interest as well. Height
4-5’, spread 4-5’.
‘Fragrant’ (V. x carlcephalum)—The
largest of the fragrant, semi-snowball Viburnums.
Flower clusters are larger, up to 5-6” in
diameter, pink in bud, finally opening pure
white, and intensely fragrant. It is one of the
latest semi-snowball types to bloom. Height
6-10’, spread 6-10’.
‘Juddi’ (V. x juddii)—A Korean Spice hybrid that
has amazingly fragrant, white flowers. Dark
green summer foliage and reddish-wine fall
color. Height 6-8’, spread 5-6’.
‘Korean Spice’ (V. carlesii)—An old time garden
staple. Light pink buds that open to pure white.
Outstanding fragrance! Height 5-6’, spread 4-5’.
‘Mohawk’ (V. x burkwoodii ‘Mohawk’)—One of the
best! Early spring blooms start as bright red
buds, changing to pink and finally opening to
intensely fragrant, pure white flowers. Summer
foliage is lustrous dark green changing to
vibrant orange-reds to reddish-purples in the
fall. A definite must for the garden! Height
6-8’, spread 5-6’.
‘Sarcoxie’ (V. x burkwoodii ‘Sarcoxie’)—A hybrid
that has wonderfully fragrant flowers in the
spring and an attractive dark green, glossy, and
very full summer foliage habit. A little known
hybrid that is really worth checking out. Height
6-8’, spread 5-6’.
Leatherleaf Viburnum and
Related Selections
(Viburnum species and hybrids)—This group of
closely related species and hybrids provide us
with some very valuable landscape plants.
Selections are typically extremely tough and
durable as well as being highly ornamental.
Several have semi-evergreen tendencies that can
be used to provide additional winter interest.
While all produce attractive flowers in the
spring, not all produce truly impressive fruit
displays, but those that do are dramatic.
‘Alleghany’ (V. x rhytidophylloides
‘Alleghany’)—A fantastic, tough hybrid released
from a U.S. National Arboretum breeding program.
This deciduous to semi-evergreen form is great
for use as a screen or a border. Showy,
creamy-white flowers in the spring, dark green
leathery foliage in the summer and bright red
fruits late in the season. Fast growing. This
selection is a hybrid of Leatherleaf Viburnum
(V. rhytidophyllum) and ‘Mohican’ (V. lantana
‘Mohican’). Height 8-10’, spread 8-10’.
‘Cree’ (V. rhytidophyllum ‘Cree’)—A more
compact form of Leatherleaf Viburnum introduce
from the U.S. National Arboretum. Dark green
leaves are evergreen to semi-evergreen into the
winter. Abundant production of white flowers in
the spring followed by red fruits, changing to
black. Height 6-8’, spread 6-8’.
‘Decker’ (V. x pragense ‘Decker’)—A selection of
Pragense Viburnum made for its lustrous dark
green leaves, pink-budded flowers that open to
white, and exceptional hardiness. Height 6-10’,
spread 6-8’.
‘Emerald Triumph’ (V. x ‘Emerald Triumph’)—A
compact, rounded shrub with glossy deep green
foliage. Red fruits turning black in late summer
follow white flowers in May. A hybrid
introduction,
‘Leatherleaf’ (V. rhytidophyllum)—This is a
semi-evergreen species with large, heavily
textured, leathery leaves. Creamy-white flowers
in the spring. Useful for borders, privacy
screens and windbreak plantings. Tolerates quite
a bit of shade, but does equally well in full
sun. A good, tough species for Kansas landscapes
that has been combined with other forms to
produce some amazing hybrids selections. Those
are listed below along with some other closely
related species. Height 10-12’, spread 10-12.
‘Pragense’ (V. x pragense)—A fast-growing form
with extremely glossy, dark green foliage that
will remain evergreen through most of the
winter. Blooms heavily in the spring with large
clusters of creamy-white flowers. This is a
beautiful selection. A cross between Leatherleaf
Viburnum (V. rhytidophyllum) and Service
Viburnum (V. utile). Height 6-10’, spread 6-8’.
‘Willowwood’ (V. x rhytidophylloides
‘Willowwood’)—Exceptionally tough, dark green,
leathery foliage holds up better than other
selections in the winter, but still remains only
semi-evergreen in our area. Spring flowers are
creamy-white. Height 8-10’, spread 8-10’.
Linden Viburnum
(Viburnum dilatatum)—Creamy-white flowers
literally smother this plant in the spring and
are followed by bright cherry-red to scarlet
fruit. The fall color ranges from a russet-red
to a deep, rich burgundy. A full three-seasons
of color make this an outstanding shrub.
‘Asian Beauty’—Glossy, cherry-red fruit persists
on the shrub through the winter. Glossy, dark
green foliage turns a russet-red in the fall.
Height 6-10’, spread 5-8’.
‘Cardinal Candy’—A fantastic selection with
improved winter hardiness and an abundant crop
of bright, scarlet-red fruits. Beautiful display
of white flowers in the spring and russet-red to
bronze foliage in the fall. Outstanding for its
fruit display! Height 5-6’, spread 4-6’.
‘Erie’—Excellent yellow to orange to red fall
color. Abundant red fruits turn coral after a
frost and persist through the winter. This is a
smaller, more compact selection. Height 5-6’,
spread 6-10’.
‘Michael Dodge’—This is a nice
variation with yellow fruits instead of red.
Great floral display in the spring and reddish
leaf color in the fall. Plant with ‘Cardinal
Candy’ to increase fruit production. Height
5-6’, spread 5-6’.
Witherod Viburnum
(Viburnum cassinoides)—Handsome, dense shrub
with spreading, arching branches. New foliage
emerges bronze to purple in the spring changing
to dull dark green for summer. In fall shades of
orange-red, crimson, and purple adorn the shrub.
The fruit changes from green to pink to red to
blue and finally black. All colors are often
present in the same fruiting cluster. Height
5-6’, spread 5-6’.
‘Brandywine’ (‘Bulk’)—Fabulous fruits! An
impressive display of green, ivory, pink and
blue berries decorating the plant towards the
end of summer. Bright green foliage turns dark
maroon-red in the fall. Plant with another
variety for better fruit production. Height
5-6’, spread 5-6’.
‘Count
Pulaski’—A faster-growing selection with an
extremely heavy floral display in the spring
followed by an exotic-looking fruit display of
salmon-pink, lavender, blue and purplish-black
later in the season. Maroon to dark red fall
color. Height 5-7’, spread 5-7’.
NEW!—‘Narrow
Leaved’ (V. nudum var. angustifolium)—Leaves
of this variety are smaller than those typical
of the species. Fantastic red-purple fall color
that is very long lasting. Dense habit and a
heavy producer of pink to blue fruits. Height
6-8’, spread 5-6’.
‘Winterthur’ (V. nudum ‘Winterthur’)—This is
actually a selection from a closely related
species commonly known as Smooth Witherod
Viburnum. A beautiful plant with lustrous, dark
green foliage. Creamy-white flowers late in the
spring followed by clusters of fruit that change
from green to pink, then from pink to blue, and
finally from blue to black late in the season.
All colors are often present in the same fruit
cluster. Fall color is stunning as well, ranging
from red to reddish-purple. Height 5-6’, spread
5-6’.
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