Multi-season interest, low maintenance, and timeless beauty—all in one plant.
We love seeing viburnum in bloom—especially when we planted them! These hardy, beautiful shrubs are a favorite here at James River Nurseries, and for good reason. With year-round visual appeal and versatile landscape uses, viburnum is one of the most reliable performers in residential garden design.
Whether you're looking to add color, structure, or natural screening to your yard, viburnum offers a little bit of everything.
Why We Love Viburnum in Virginia Landscapes
Viburnum is a genus with over 150 species, and many of them thrive in Virginia's climate. From their fragrant white spring flowers to their vibrant fall foliage and colorful berries that attract birds, these shrubs are all about longevity and low maintenance.
They’re well-suited for a range of conditions—sun or part shade, clay or loamy soils—and require minimal care once established.
Our Favorite Varieties for Central Virginia
Some of the most popular viburnum varieties we use in our landscape installations include:
- Viburnum x burkwoodii (Burkwood Viburnum): Fragrant blooms and glossy leaves
- Viburnum dentatum (Arrowwood Viburnum): Great for hedges and wildlife
- Viburnum carlesii (Koreanspice Viburnum): Compact form, incredible scent
- Viburnum opulus (European Cranberrybush): Showy flowers and bright red berries
Each variety brings its own unique look and functionality—perfect for everything from formal garden borders to naturalistic plantings.
Designing with Viburnum: Privacy Screens, Borders & Beds
Thanks to their dense branching and upright growth habits, viburnum shrubs are an excellent choice when you're looking to create:
- Natural privacy screens
- Flowering hedgerows
- Foundation plantings
- Accent shrubs in mixed borders
We often recommend them for homeowners who want a balance of structure and softness in their outdoor spaces. Their multi-season interest means your landscape stays dynamic and visually appealing even in fall and winter.
When to Plant and How to Care for Viburnum
The best time to plant viburnum in Virginia is early spring or fall, when the weather is cooler and root systems can establish with less stress.
Basic care tips include:
- Full sun to part shade
- Well-draining soil (though they tolerate clay well)
- Water regularly during the first year
- Prune lightly after flowering, if needed, to shape or remove old wood
Once established, viburnum shrubs are drought-tolerant, disease-resistant, and rarely bothered by deer.
Viburnum vs. Other Flowering Shrubs
Looking for a shrub that does more than just bloom? Compared to azaleas, hydrangeas, or roses, viburnum brings:
- Extended seasonal appeal (spring blooms + fall berries and color)
- Greater hardiness and tolerance for varied conditions
- Lower maintenance over time
They’re ideal for homeowners who want a landscape that looks great year-round without constant upkeep.
Seeing Viburnum Thrive—A Rewarding Part of What We Do
It’s always rewarding to see our plantings thriving just as intended. Viburnum not only elevates the look of the landscape but brings long-term value to the properties we work on.
Want to see more of our residential landscaping projects?
Explore our portfolio here.
Curious to learn even more about viburnum?
We recommend this helpful article from The Virginia Cooperative Extension and Piedmont Master Gardeners:
Viburnum: A Shrub for Many Settings
