Viburnums are a useful group of shrubs with three great characteristics – flowers, fruit and fall color – and the Linden Viburnum (V. dilatatum) is no exception. They have groups of white flowers May through June that are dome-shaped, developing into clusters of red fruit in the fall which, when ripe, birds love. The dark green, wrinkled leaves are toothed and turn shades of burgundy, bronze and faded red in fall. They’re so named for the shape of their leaves which resemble a Linden Tree (Tilia). Most grow into a medium to large shrub. Pruning after they flower help keep them dense which makes them a useful choice for hedging. Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Zone 4-8
We currently have three varieties of Linden Viburnum worth checking out:
‘Cardinal Candy’ seen here, grows more compact, 4-5′ high x 4-5′ wide and is free fruiting even without others nearby for cross pollination
‘Erie‘ grows 5-7′ high x 6-10’ wide with a mounding habit – a Pennsylvania Hort. Society Gold Medal Winner
‘Oneida‘ grows 8-10′ high x 6-8’ wide with abundant white flowers in May and sporadic re-blooming in the summer
Interesting to know: Ötzi the Iceman was carrying arrows made from a species of Viburnum on his fateful last trek in the Alps more than 5,000 years ago.