Viburnum odoratissimum commonly know as ‘Sweet Viburnum’ is a fast growing evergreen species well suited a large dense screening plant or hedge.
Reaching around 4-5 metres depending on conditions. A number of forms exist some with glossy foliage ‘Awabuki’ and others with more of a ‘matt finish’.
All have fragrant flowers that appear in spring to early summer followed by small red berries. V. Odoratissimum ‘Emerald Lustre’ is perhaps the most commonly used.
With dense foliage this a great plant for screening a fence or growing as a hedge.
Growing conditions and Care
V. odoratissimun prefers full sun to part shade, a well drained humus rich soil and a cool root run, so mulch is a good idea.
When planting dig in some well rotted compost and aged manure, water in well with a seaweed fertiliser.
An application of slow release fertiliser in spring seems adequate. Once established this is a reasonably drought tolerant plant but they do like a little moisture, especially during extended dry periods.
- Position – Full sun
- Soil – Humus rich well drained.
- Watering – Some summer watering may be needed until established. Less watering in winter especially in colder climates.
- Fertiliser – A general purpose slow release organic type fertiliser applied in spring should be equate.
Planting Distance For A hedge
- Generally space at no closer than 1m apart as any closer root completion becomes a problem
- For a formal clipped hedge suggested planting distances are:
- For a lower growing hedge, 1 – 2m (3ft – 6f) plant sweet viburnums at around 1metre apart.
- For a taller growing hedge space them at around 1.75 m (6ft) apart.
- For an more informal (non clipped) screen plant at around 2m apart.
Pruning
As they take well to pruning ‘Sweet Viburnums’ are suited to use as hedging plants in a formal or informal style.
- It can be pruned to almost any size or shape and the best time to prune is in late winter, early spring in cooler climates.
- Trimming to keep the plant in a more formal shape and maintain a dense hedge can be carried out at any time although mid summer should be avoided.
- Once the plants are established you can remove some of the oldest stems every 3 – 4 years.
Landscaping Uses.
- Excellent screening or hedging plant.
- Useful when grown as a background plant in the garden border.
- Also used as a stand alone plant in the border.
Viburnum odoratissimum Varieties
- Viburnum odoratissimum ‘Awabuki’ – Glossier foliage and a little smaller growing
- Viburnum odoratissimum ‘Emerald Lustre’
- Viburnum odoratissimum ‘Emerald Jewel’
Viburnum odoratissimum Planting distance (spacing)
For a dense hedge, plant Sweet Viburnum at .75 m centres
Propagation
Softwood or semi hardwood cuttings both work well, however propagating is easier from softwood cuttings taken in late spring to early summer.
Propagation in soil or water can both work effectively.
Summary Description
.Evergreen shrub used as a hedging plant. Glossy green foliage and clusters of white flowers in spring.
- Botanical name – Viburnum odoratissimum
- Common Name – Sweet Viburnum
- Origins – Asia
- Climate – Best in temperate climate zones.
- Height – 4m – 6m. Usually pruned to 3m -4m as a hedge.
- Spread 2m
- Growth Rate – Fast in good conditions.
- Soil – Humus rich well drained.
- Position – Full sun to a little shade, not suited to deep shade.
- Better for warmer climates than other Viburnum varieties.
- Flowers – White followed by small red berries.
- Flowering Time – Spring
- Foliage – Glossy Green
- Fertiliser – Fertilise in spring with a general purpose slow release fertiliser.
- Drought Tolerant – No
- Frost Tolerant – Yes
Available for sale from the following nurseries
Carey Gully, Adelaide Hills.
Family business selling a large range of deciduous trees in pots 1-4m high. Crepe myrtle specialist. Includes Ornamental pears & plums, Red maples, Japanese maples, Gingko, Cercis, Ash, Birch, Crab apples, Weeping cherries, Gleditsia, Liquidambar and more. Hedging plants, evergreen trees & fruit trees.
www.adelaidetreefarm.com.au
Phone: 0411 435 314
Online Retailer of Landscaping Plants, large quantities of small pot sizes up to advanced sizes & plant Sourcing.
SYDNEY | NORTHERN NSW | GOLD COAST | BRISBANE | MELBOURNE | ADELAIDE
www.egardens.com.au
Viburnum odoratissimum comes in a range of forms including:
- V. odoratissimum ‘Emerald Lustre’, glossy foliage that darkens as it ages
- V. odoratissimum ‘Awabaki’, glossy foliage