Linden viburnum is a multi-stemmed, upright to rounded shrub reaching 8 to 10 feet high and wide. Profuse clusters of white, flat-topped flowers are followed by showy red fruits often persisting into winter. Fall color can be a kaleidoscope of orange, red and yellow. A great four season plant for the shrub border.
This species has demonstrated some invasive tendencies in select states. Consult your local state invasive list.
Size & form:
This is an upright to rounded shrub maturing at 8 to 10 feet high and 6 to 10 feet wide. Some plants can be leggy and open at the base, while others have dense foliage to the ground.
Native geographic location and habitat:
This shrub is native to China and eastern Asia
Attracts birds, pollinators, or wildlife:
Flowers attract butterflies.
Bark color and texture:
Fuzzy young stems are brown with prominent orange lenticels, while older stems are gray-brown.
Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:
Leaves are opposite, simple, 2 to 5 inches long and 2 inches wide, and are broadly elliptical in shape with irregularly toothed margins. Lustrous dark green leaves change to russet-red to burgundy in fall. Leaves last long into fall.
Flower arrangement, shape, and size:
Flowers are showy, flat-topped, 3 to 5 inch diameter clusters of small creamy white flowers in May. Flowers can be malodorous.
Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:
Fruit is attractive, showy, flattened clusters of 1/3 inch red berries that persist into winter before they shrivel and look like red raisins. Plant several clones to promote a better fruit set.
Plant care:
This grows best in full sun to part shade in moist fertile soil. It prefers slightly acidic soil but tolerant of rich, organic, neutral pH soil. Flowers grow on old wood so prune soon after flowering. Plant several clones to promote pollination and insure fruit set. Prune out dead or weakened stems.
List of pests, diseases, and tolerances:
Leaf spots, anthracnose, stem cankers, and borers are common problems.
Asian Beauty linden viburnum (Viburnum dilatatum ‘Asian Beauty’):
This cultivar grows 8 to 10 feet high and 6 to 8 feet wide. Cherry-red fruits are produced in great quantities and tend to be persistent. Fall color is a mix of yellow, orange, and red.
Cardinal Candy™ linden viburnum (Viburnum dilatatum ‘Henneke’):
A hardy cultivar, growing 6 feet high with bright red fruits.
Catskill linden viburnum (Viburnum dilatatum ‘Catskill’):
This is a dwarf cultivar with a compact habit reaching 6 feet high and 8 feet wide. Fall color is a blend of yellow, orange, and red. Fruit is a deep red.
Erie linden viburnum (Viburnum dilatatum ‘Erie’):
A rounded cultivar growing 6 foot high by 10 foot wide. It is a shrub with dark green leaves that turn shades or red, orange, and yellow in fall. Fruit ripens bright red changing to coral-pink in fall.
Iroquois linden viburnum (Viburnum dilatatum ‘Iroquois’):
A cross between two V. dilatatum selections, it grows 10 feet high, has a profusion of flowers, deep red fruit, and excellent fall color. One of the best forms available.
