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Tea viburnum

Viburnum setigerum

Common names:
tea viburnum

Content Detail

One of the best fruiting viburnums, this little known viburnum produces bright red fruit clusters, white spring flowers, and muted red fall color. A good plant for sun or shade, reaching 8 to 12 feet high and 6 to 10 feet wide. May be difficult to find in the nursery trade.

  • Family (English) Elderberry
  • Family (botanic) Adoxaceae
  • Tree or plant type Shrub
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range 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 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Wet sites
  • Season of interest early fall, mid fall, late fall
  • Flower color and fragrance White
  • Shape or form Multi-stemmed, Upright
  • Growth rate Slow

Size & Form: 

Tea viburnum is an upright, multi-stemmed shrub, often leggy at the base. It grows 8 to 12 feet high and 5 to 8 feet wide.

Native geographic location and habitat: 

Native to central and western China.

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

The opposite leaves are 3 to 6 inches long and elliptical. The leaves have a bluish-green color above, and are lighter green beneath. Fall color is a muted reddish purple.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size: 

Small, 1 to 2 inch, flat-topped to slightly domed clusters of white flowers. This plant is not as showy as other species of viburnum.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

Bright red berry-like fruits which are very showy on long stalks (peduncles).

Plant care:

Plant tea viburnum in full sun for best flowering. It is tolerant of part shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Prune only as needed so the fruit display will not be reduced unnecessarily.

List of pests, diseases, and tolerances: 

No serious problems

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