Doublefile Viburnum

Common Name: 
Doublefile Viburnum
Scientific Name Genus: 
Viburnum
Family Name: 
Adoxaceae
Identification Notes
Adaptable to a wide range of soils but prefers a well-drained soil with medium moisture. Does well in full sun to part shade.
Native Habitat
Native to China and Japan. Hardy zones 5 to 8.
Growth Habit
Broad, rounded, multistemmed shrub with horizontal branching. 8-15' tall and 10-18' wide. Horizontal branching can give a layered look.
Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum form
Leaves
Dark green, serrated, ovate leaves 2-4" long. 8-12 pairs of veins are prominent on leaves. Leaves have a pointed tip and rounded base and a pubescent underside.
Opposite leaf arrangement.
Leaves emerge early in spring before flowers.
Red to purple fall color
Doublefile viburnum leaves
Bark and Stems
Young stems are tomentose.
Gray-brown bark with orange lenticels.
Fishbone branching pattern.
Doublefile viburnum branching pattern
Flowers
Large, white, flat topped cymes that are a mix of infertile and fertile flowers. Up to 4" in diameter.
Blooms in May. Not fragrant but very showy in bloom.
Doublefile viburnum flower
Fruit
Drupe that is red maturing to black in August.
Eaten by birds.
Bloom Time
May
Common Problems
No serious insect of disease problems.
Varieties or Cultivars
'Cascade' - umbrella-shaped flower clusters with large sterile outer flowers that appear to cascade.
'Mariesii' - distinctive layered branching.
'Summer Snowflake' - upright cultivar; leaves, fruit, and flowers smaller than the species. Blooms sporadically through the summer.
'Shasta' - somewhat smaller than the species with abundant flowers and fruits.
Related Species
Viburnum plicatum - Japanese snowball viburnum
Landscape Uses
Good as a specimen or in groups. Can be used in the shrub border or as a hedge.
Doublefile viburnum branched up into tree form