Most shrubs are impressive for a season. They might offer
flowers in spring or fiery fall colors. Viburnums
are among the most popular shrubs for home gardens since they provide many
seasons of garden interest. However, not every gardener has a space big enough
to accommodate these large shrubs.
If this is your situation, help is on the way as new dwarf
viburnum varieties have developed. These compact viburnum plants offer the same
multi-season pleasure, but in a smaller size. Read on for information about small
viburnum shrubs.
Dwarf Types of Viburnum
If you are a gardener with a smaller yard, you won’t be able
to plant the Koreanspice
viburnum (Viburnum carlesii), the shade tolerant shrub with
intoxicatingly fragrant spring flowers. This variety can grow to 8 feet (2 m.)
tall, a formidable size for a small garden.
Given the demand, the marketplace has responded with smaller
cultivars so you can now start growing dwarf viburnums. These dwarf types of
viburnum grow slowly and stay compact. You’ll have your pick since there are
several small varieties available in commerce. What better name for a compact
viburnum plant than Viburnum carlesii ‘Compactum?’ It has all the great
attributes of the regular, larger size plant but tops out at half the height.
If your dream shrub is American
cranberry (Viburnum opulus var. americanum syn. Viburnum
trilobum), you’re probably attracted to its flowers, fruits, and fall
color. Like other full-size viburnums, it shoots up to 8 feet (2 m.) tall and
wide. There is a compact variety (Viburnum trilobum ‘Compactum’), however,
that stays at half the size. For lots of fruit, try Viburnum trilobum
‘Spring Green.’
You may have seen arrowwood
(Viburnum dentatum) in a hedge. These large and attractive shrubs thrive
in all soil types and exposures, growing to 12 feet (around 4 m.) in both
directions. Look for the dwarf viburnum varieties, like ‘Papoose,’ only 4 feet
(1 m.) tall and wide.
Another large, yet magnificent, shrub is the European
cranberry bush (Viburnum opulus), with eye-catching flowers, generous
crops of berries, and fiery autumn color. It grows to 15 feet (4.5 m.) tall
though. For truly small gardens, you can select Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum,’
that stays to a relatively modest 6 feet (almost 2 m.) in height. Or go for
truly small with Viburnum opulus ‘Bullatum,’ which doesn’t get above 2
feet (61 cm.) tall and wide.
Growing dwarf viburnums in the landscape is a great way to
enjoy these lovely shrubs without taking up the additional space.
Most shrubs are impressive for a season. They might offer
flowers in spring or fiery fall colors. Viburnums
are among the most popular shrubs for home gardens since they provide many
seasons of garden interest. However, not every gardener has a space big enough
to accommodate these large shrubs.
If this is your situation, help is on the way as new dwarf
viburnum varieties have developed. These compact viburnum plants offer the same
multi-season pleasure, but in a smaller size. Read on for information about small
viburnum shrubs.
Dwarf Types of Viburnum
If you are a gardener with a smaller yard, you won’t be able
to plant the Koreanspice
viburnum (Viburnum carlesii), the shade tolerant shrub with
intoxicatingly fragrant spring flowers. This variety can grow to 8 feet (2 m.)
tall, a formidable size for a small garden.
Given the demand, the marketplace has responded with smaller
cultivars so you can now start growing dwarf viburnums. These dwarf types of
viburnum grow slowly and stay compact. You’ll have your pick since there are
several small varieties available in commerce. What better name for a compact
viburnum plant than Viburnum carlesii ‘Compactum?’ It has all the great
attributes of the regular, larger size plant but tops out at half the height.
If your dream shrub is American
cranberry (Viburnum opulus var. americanum syn. Viburnum
trilobum), you’re probably attracted to its flowers, fruits, and fall
color. Like other full-size viburnums, it shoots up to 8 feet (2 m.) tall and
wide. There is a compact variety (Viburnum trilobum ‘Compactum’), however,
that stays at half the size. For lots of fruit, try Viburnum trilobum
‘Spring Green.’
You may have seen arrowwood
(Viburnum dentatum) in a hedge. These large and attractive shrubs thrive
in all soil types and exposures, growing to 12 feet (around 4 m.) in both
directions. Look for the dwarf viburnum varieties, like ‘Papoose,’ only 4 feet
(1 m.) tall and wide.
Another large, yet magnificent, shrub is the European
cranberry bush (Viburnum opulus), with eye-catching flowers, generous
crops of berries, and fiery autumn color. It grows to 15 feet (4.5 m.) tall
though. For truly small gardens, you can select Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum,’
that stays to a relatively modest 6 feet (almost 2 m.) in height. Or go for
truly small with Viburnum opulus ‘Bullatum,’ which doesn’t get above 2
feet (61 cm.) tall and wide.
Growing dwarf viburnums in the landscape is a great way to
enjoy these lovely shrubs without taking up the additional space.