A Compact Shrub for all Seasons

David viburnums are well-behaved little shrubs.

Their little white flowers are held in rounded clusters.

Iridescent blue berries sit atop bright red pedicels.

They keep their pleasing shape and size with little care.

Only female plants produce the attractive berries.

David viburnums make nice informal low hedges.

Common Name:  david viburnum
Botanical Name:  Viburnum davidii
Form:    compact round, mounded
Family:  Adoxaceae
Genus:  Viburnum
Species:  davidii
Plant Type: broadleaf evergreen
Mature Size:  2’ to 3’ x 3’ to 4’
Growth: moderate
Origin:  China
Hardiness Zone: 7 to 9
Foliage:  deeply-veined, leathery, oval, 3-6" long, opposite, blue-green, evergreen, flushed with burgundy tones fall through winter
Flowers: April, May, rounded 2-3” wide clusters of pink buds that open to white flowers, 4 to 5 petals, showy, diecious (male & female plants)
Fruit:  female plants only, showy, green berries turn pink, red then a metallic blue held on red pedicels (stems)
Exposure:  full sun to part shade, avoid hot, south & west facing exposures
Soil: best with moist soil topped with mulch
Uses: winter gardens, foundations, informal hedge, borders, woodlands, massing
Attracts: flowers attract butterflies, berries attract birds
Invasive Tendencies: none
Propagation: seeds, cuttings
Pruning:  usually not needed, except to remove dead growth. Trim if needed in late winter or early spring.
​Problems:  leaf scorch in hot sun, viburnum leaf beetle

Comments: 
David viburnum is a well-behaved, dependable, attractive, compact evergreen with a pleasing rounded form. It’s deeply veined leaves provide a perfect backdrop for their pretty white flower clusters, followed by iridescent metallic blue berries. Butterflies and other pollinators love the rounded flower clusters, whilst the birds feed on the uniquely coloured berries.   
 
All David viburnums flower, however, not all of them bear fruit as they have male and female plants (dioecious). Only the female plants produce the berries on bright red branches called pedicels. To ensure a good show of berries, plant several female and male plants together.  Note that the berries are mildly toxic and should not be eaten.
 
David viburnums are coveted for their compact, rounded growth. They are perfect foundation plants to put under windows, besides patios, stairs and doors. Their deeply veined, green leaves look good all year long with burgundy hues in autumn and winter.  Sadly, David viburnums are deciduous in the northern limits of their growing zones.
 
These multi-seasonal viburnums prefer moist, well-drained fertile soils. Ensure they receive water when the weather is hot and dry. To help keep the soil moist, viburnums benefit from a 3 inches layer of an organic mulch on top of the soil around the plants. The mulch also deters viburnum leaf beetles. These little beetles skeletonize the foliage leaving only the veins behind. They infest viburnums that are not receiving adequate water and are not mulched.

Keep David viburnums out of direct afternoon sun in the summer.

Viburnum leaf beetle damage.

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