Why Plant Winterthur Viburnum?
World-renowned woody plant expert Michael Dirr once said, “A garden without a Viburnum is akin to life without music and art.” We would have to agree, and Winterthur Smooth Viburnum is one of the finest Viburnums you can buy. This sharp accent plant, a part of our Added Definitions program, features shiny, olive-green foliage that turns a rich purple-red in fall. Plant it where its glorious burgundy autumn color will be on full display, whether that’s in a mixed border, in your entryway garden, by your back patio, or outside your living room window. It’s a masterpiece!
Smooth Viburnum is an eastern native found as far north as Connecticut and ranging south to Florida and Louisiana. It often grows in wet environments, but inhabits drier sites, too. The selection known as Winterthur was discovered at the magnificent Winterthur Gardens in Delaware. Because of its immaculate, glossy foliage and neat habit, this Added Definition fits in perfectly in manicured, formal landscapes, and because it’s native, it looks right at home in more naturalistic gardens as well. Its tolerance for alternately wet and dry soil means it’s also an excellent rain garden component. So versatile!
How to use Winterthur Viburnum in the landscape?
If Smooth Viburnum grows wild in your area, or if you plant another variety of Smooth Viburnum such as Brandywine, you’ll get a bonus: Winterthur will put on a sensational fruit display! The berries start out pink, but turn baby blue, eventually turning navy blue to black. The mix of pink and blue set against a background of deep burgundy fall foliage is breathtaking.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 5-9
How To Plant Winterthur Viburnum
Winterthur Smooth Viburnum will have the densest growth and the most flowers and fruit in full sun, although it can also be grown in part shade. (The last Viburnum to bloom, its creamy white blossoms arrive in late May or early June.) Ordinary, well-drained garden soil is great, but soggy soil is no problem, and short periods of dryness may be tolerated. Winterthur does not like high pH soils, however, so if you have alkaline or limestone soil, you may want to keep this plant in a container or a raised bed.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
