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Judd's viburnum

Viburnum x juddii

Common names:
Judd's viburnum, Judd viburnum

Content Detail

This hybrid viburnum produces early spring, snowball-type clusters of pink buds that open to white, highly fragrant flowers. It is a dense, rounded shrub reaching 6 to 8 feet high with blue-green leaves. Korean spice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) is one parent of this hybrid.

  • 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 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Alkaline soil, Occasional drought
  • Season of interest mid spring, late spring, early fall, mid fall
  • Flower color and fragrance Fragrant, Pink, White
  • Shape or form Round
  • Growth rate Slow

Native geographic location and habitat:

It is of hybrid origin-a cross between Korean spice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) and Bitchiu viburnum (Viburnum bitchiuense).

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

Opposite, 1 to 3 inch long ovate leaves, with slightly toothed margins. Leaf color is bluish-green and gray-green beneath with pubescent hairs that give it a dull appearance. Fall color is burgundy red.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

White, highly fragrant, 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inch, semi-snowball flower clusters with bright pink buds.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

Berry-like fruits (drupes) that mature from red to black in late summer and fall are not always produced in great numbers.

Plant care:

Judd’s viburnum does best in full sun for flowering potential but will tolerate part shade. It requires well drained soil and benefits from a layer of mulch. Flowers on old stems so prune soon after flowering.

List of pests, diseases, tolerances and resistance:

Viburnum crown borer can be a serious problem. Resistant to bacterial leaf spot.

Photo Gallery (6)

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