With over 150 species available, viburnums have been a popular choice for use as flowering shrubs in landscaping. Gardeners love its versatility and garden worthiness. There are assortments of plants that can be used in sun or shade, in any type of location from zones 2-9. While viburnums are shrubs, many like Viburnum seiboldii can grow into 20 feet tall trees.

Viburnums belong to the honeysuckle family. They are excellent as hedges or as a spreading shrub for a corner. All species have good-looking foliage and the variety of forms viburnum leaves have right from the color, texture and size is just amazing. They can be rounded, lance-shape or serrated, smooth and velvety or rough. Some of them have outstanding colorful flowers from glorious purples to pristine whites to pretty pinks. Some of them like the Burkwood viburnum have extremely fragrant flowers. They bloom in the spring, and this followed by fruiting and attractive fall foliage.

Viburnums also give out fruits with colors ranging from green, pink, yellow, dark blue and purple that gives an ornamental look to the shrub. A native plant you can use is the American cranberry bush viburnum, which has fruits resembling bright-red cranberries. This species is also interesting, as its green foliage turns reddish-purple in the fall.

An advantage viburnums have is that they are quite hardy and grow well without a fuss. In particular, viburnums native to North America qualify as hardy species and are very adaptable to different conditions. For instance, Blackhaw viburnum grows under shade but can also tolerate full sun. Many are xeric or drought resistant and can tolerate any soil. In addition, they are quite disease resistant. Viburnums can be propagated through soft woodcuttings during the summer; and spring is a good time for transplanting. An interesting fact about the plant is that it is believed that prehistoric man in the Otzal Alps used the long straight shoots of viburnums as arrow-shafts.

If you like artciles about trees & shrubs....These pages might also interest you:

Guide to Conifers & Evergreens, How to Prune Shrubs, Gardening With Viburnum, Gingko Trees, Growing Magnolias, Japanese Barbury, Katsura Trees,Shrubs as Garden Borders,The Weeping Atlas Tree, Tough Trees, Great Birch Trees, Growing Citrus Trees, How to Prune Shrubs,How to Start Seedlings, Lustrous Abelia, Popular Shrubs, Shrub Winter Care Guide, Shrubs With Berries, Summer Hydrangeas