David Viburnum
Viburnum davidii, commonly known as David Viburnum, is a low-growing evergreen shrub known for its leathery foliage, petite flowers, and striking blue-black berries. It’s a versatile shrub offering year-round interest.
Native: This species is native to Western China, specifically the Szechwan and Yunnan provinces.
Plant Type and Habit: Viburnum davidii is an evergreen shrub with a compact, spreading habit. Its mounded form makes it ideal for understory plantings and border foregrounds.
Size: This shrub typically reaches a height and width of 3-5 feet (90-150 cm), making it relatively compact.
Flowers: It features small, white, star-shaped flowers that appear in flattened clusters and emit a light fragrance. The plant blooms in late spring to early summer.
Fruits: Following the bloom, bluish-black berries (drupes) appear, offering visual contrast to the dark green foliage. While this species isn’t strictly dioecious, individual plants can lean towards being primarily male or female. Only the predominantly female plants are reliable berry producers. If you’re interested in berry production, you can opt for clones that have been specifically sexed, or plant several together to facilitate cross-pollination and ensure fruiting.
Foliage: The leaves are leathery and dark green with a pronounced vein pattern, which adds textural interest.
Hardiness: David Viburnum is hardy in USDA zones 7-9.
Award: Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
Uses: Given its size and form, it’s an excellent choice for low hedges, mixed borders, and woodland gardens.
Wildlife: The berries attract birds, while the dense foliage offers shelter to various small animals.
Deer and Rabbits: The plant is somewhat deer-resistant, lessening the likelihood of it being a primary feeding choice. Rabbits tend to avoid it as well.
Toxicity: The berries are considered mildly toxic if consumed in large amounts but are generally non-toxic to pets and humans.
Invasiveness: This plant is not considered invasive.
Benefits: Besides aesthetic appeal, this shrub offers low maintenance and wildlife-friendly benefits. Its dense foliage provides excellent cover for birds and other small creatures.
Light: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil: Optimal growth in well-drained, humus-rich soil with a neutral to acidic pH.
Water: Water moderately but consistently, especially during dry spells.
Fertilizer: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to encourage growth and flowering.
Pruning: Light pruning can be done in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and remove any dead or damaged branches.
Propagation: Can be propagated by softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer.
Pests and Diseases: No serious insect or disease issues. Keep an eye out for aphids, viburnum beetle, leaf spot, root rot, and botrytis. Apply appropriate treatments as needed.
This relatively low-maintenance shrub offers multi-season interest, making it an excellent choice for mixed borders and understory plantings.
| Hardiness |
7 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
3 - 9 |
| Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Adoxaceae |
| Genus | Viburnum |
| Common names | Viburnum |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
| Height |
3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
| Spread |
3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
| Spacing |
36" - 60" (90cm - 150cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy, Fruit & Berries, Evergreen |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Hedges And Screens, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard |
| Hardiness |
7 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
3 - 9 |
| Climate Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Adoxaceae |
| Genus | Viburnum |
| Common names | Viburnum |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
| Height |
3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
| Spread |
3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm) |
| Spacing |
36" - 60" (90cm - 150cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy, Fruit & Berries, Evergreen |
| Attracts | Birds, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Hedges And Screens, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard |
How many Viburnum davidii (David Viburnum) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Viburnum davidii (David Viburnum) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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