The viburnum clan contains several excellent shrubs for the landscape of small yards and properties. Among these is the linden viburnum, so named because the leaves are somewhat the same size and shape as those of the linden tree.
This viburnum is a native of China and Japan where it is a highly prized garden plant. Nearly half of the better ornamental woody plants in our American gardens originally come from China and Japan and it is interesting to note that this one, at least, is as highly valued as an ornamental in its native land as it is here.
Most viburnums are not particular about the kind of soil in which they grow, and this one is no exception. It does well in either acid or alkaline soils but, like most other plants, the more organic material present about the roots, the better it will grow and fruit.
The linden viburnum is perfectly hardy from Boston to Cleveland southward, but may have to be grown in protected places in the Chicago area. Like many other plants, it responds well to a normal moisture supply and, if the ground in which it is planted is given the minimum amount of attention required of any good garden soil, the linden viburnum should continue to thrive year after year.
Densely Rounded Bush
In appearance it is a densely rounded bush which may eventually grow 9 feet tall but it is usually seen at a height, below eye level. The flowers are very small, about 1/4 inch in diameter, but they are borne in large 3 to 5-inch clusters that are very conspicuous. These clusters are a creamy white color, all are flat and produced promiscuously about the plant so that it always appears covered with flowers in late May or early June.
Each one of these individual flowers eventually produces a small red fruit about 1/3 inch long. It is the clusters of these fruits that make the plant such an excellent ornamental for by early September they begin to turn a bright red color visible from quite a distance. These fruits do not fall off as soon as they are ripe like the fruits of Siebold’s viburnum, but remain on the plant many weeks, sometimes all winter.
Yellow Fruiting Variety
There is a yellow fruiting variety but it is not as easy to find. No better than the red fruited form, it is merely used in combination with it for special fall displays.
The autumn color of the foliage is a russet red, not brilliant but nevertheless distinguishable as a good autumn color. The linden viburnum must certainly have been in this country for nearly a century, yet it is not well known today. The taller-growing American highbush cranberry, Viburnum americanum, and its European counterpart, V. opulus, are more common, probably because they are larger shrubs with more conspicuous flowers and larger fruits.
However. the linden viburnum makes a much lower and denser plant, especially well suited to growing on the small place. Taller viburnums are needed in some places, especially where background material is wanted, but this plant makes an excellent specimen by itself or it can be used to advantage in front of the shrub border where it will quickly show off its good qualities.
Insect or Disease Pests
Most viburnums are not affected by serious insect or disease pests. As far as I know, the linden viburnum has none. The twigs and leaves are slightly pubescent and these hairs seem to be stiff enough to discourage insects, especially the plant lice which sometimes seriously infest plants of the European snowball V. opulus roseum.
Propagation is easily accomplished by seeds or cuttings. Either hardwood or softwood cuttings can be used and if one is air-layering cuttings, rooting should not be difficult.
Given plenty of sunshine and good soil in which to grow, this splendid oriental viburnum should bring color into the garden several times each year. And still it is in the “low maintenance” group of shrubs which are fast becoming so popular!
by D Wynn – 63483
