Why plant Audubon® Native Smooth Witherod Viburnum?
Audubon® Native Smooth Witherod Viburnum is a multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that is native to eastern North America. Growing to heights and widths between 5-12’, the Witherod offers showy glossy green foliage during the spring and summer months. During this time, we are graced with creamy white flowers that form in clusters, are two to five inches wide and slightly aromatic. These blooms provide nectar and pollen, which are vital sources of food for bees and butterflies. When summer comes to an end, the Whiterod’s foliage evolves from its shiny green foliage to hues of dark wine-red for the remainder of the year. Following the blooms, we see clusters of berries begin to form, starting off green before maturing to hues of pink and blue. The berries of the Native Smooth Witherod Viburnum attract birds of all sorts to feast till their heart's content. Fun fact: the berries of this particular cultivar are edible to humans as well! They are great for making jams, jellies, and sauces, as well as wine. Enjoy utilizing this beautiful compact shrub in your garden or around your home landscape!
How to use Audubon® Native Smooth Witherod Viburnum in the landscape?
Show stopping is an easy way to describe the Audubon® Native Smooth Witherod Viburnum! In late spring, it exhibits small white and pink blooms that offer a delicate fragrance. Come fall, berries add visual interest to any landscape by contributing hues of green, pink, and blue, all at the same time, while also inviting birds to eat their hearts out! If you are looking for a larger harvest of those berries, it would be wise to have more than one Witherod planted around your property - the more the merrier! These shrubs are visually appealing when planted as a border, hedge, as a screen for privacy, or simply grown in a container and placed where you see fit. The possibilities are truly endless!
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 5-9
How To Plant Audubon® Native Smooth Witherod Viburnum
The Audubon® Native Smooth Witherod Viburnum loves locations that offer full sun, however this shrub is accepting of locations that also offer partial shade. Living its best life in acidic, well draining, moist soils, the Witherod Viburnum does offer some adaptability when considering soil, allowing for locations in clay, loam, or sand. Not only are locations in ground acceptable but the Smooth Witherod Viburnum allows for container growth, this opens up a world of possibilities for displaying your new shrub!
How To Water
The process for watering your Audubon® Native Smooth Witherod Viburnum is fairly easy. We recommend maintaining a schedule of twice a week, at least until the plant is established. Although the Witherod Viburnum does offer drought tolerance, it would be wise to keep an eye on local weather conditions and water accordingly during periods of inclement weather.
How To Fertilize
When planting your Audubon® Native Smooth Witherod Viburnum, you should apply the Bower & Branch Elements Starter Plant Food to be sure your plant has all the nutrients it needs! After that, we recommend feeding your plants once in early spring before the push of new growth. You may fertilize again in fall, as this will ensure your plant is receiving the proper nutrients needed for a happy growing season.
How To Prune
When looking to shape your Audubon® Native Smooth Witherod Viburnum, the best time to do so is in late winter. At this time, you won't interfere with the fruiting process. However, if a prune is needed in season, you can do so, but you will remove some of the fruit display. Removing any dead, dried, or broken parts of the plant may be done at any time of the year.