Content Detail

Emerald Triumph viburnum is a cross between Viburnum rhytidophylloides ‘Allegheny’ and Viburnum burejaeticum. The compact rounded shrub has white, flat-topped flowers followed by persistent green to red to black fruits. The thick, leathery dark green leaves turn yellow and red in the fall.

  • Family (English) Elderberry
  • Family (botanic) Adoxaceae
  • Tree or plant type Shrub
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Medium shrub (5-8 feet), Large shrub (more than 8 feet)
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Alkaline soil, clay soil, Occasional drought
  • Season of interest early summer, midsummer, late summer, early fall, mid fall, late fall
  • Flower color and fragrance White
  • Shape or form Multi-stemmed, Round
  • Growth rate Moderate
  • Has cultivars No

Size & Form: 

Emerald Triumph viburnum is a compact shrub, growing 6 to 8 feet high and wide.

Native geographic location and habitat:

This variety is an introduction from the University of Minnesota. It is a cross between Viburnum rhytidophylloides ‘Allegheny’ and Viburnum burejaeticum.

Attracts birds, pollinators, or wildlife:

Birds are attracted to fruit once it has gone through several frosts and softens.

Bark color and texture:

Bark is gray to brown in color.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

Leaves are opposite, simple, oblong to elliptical, and 3 to 6 inches long. Dark green leathery leaves appear in spring and turn yellow and red in the fall. 

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

Flowers are flat-topped, 3 to 4 inch diameter, and form in flower clusters.  Flowers are creamy-white and without fragrance.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

Fruit forms in a cluster of red changing to black fruits (drupe) in late summer. Fruit sets are more prolific if other viburnums are in the same area.

Plant care:

This is best grown in full sun to part shade. The roots of viburnums are fibrous and wide-spreading, preferring fertile, slightly acid soil with lots of organic matter. It is tolerant of dry soil once established. Mulch well to retain moisture. For best fruiting potential, plant another viburnum of the same species that flowers at the same time to promote better pollination. Prune only to control size by removing older stems to the ground. This plant flowers on old wood, so it is best pruned right after flowering to preserve next years flower buds.

Pests, diseases and tolerances: 

Viburnum crown borer, viburnum leaf beetle, aphids, and powdery mildew are problems for this shrub. This shrub is tolerant of dry soil and windy sites.

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