The Most Beautiful Viburnum, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the Viburnum you think is the most beautiful!

Updated on Apr 18, 2024 06:28

In the world of gardening and horticulture, the beauty of a plant can often be a subjective matter, highly dependent on personal preference and local environment. However, when it comes to Viburnum, a genus known for its attractive foliage and clusters of flowers, even casual observers can appreciate their aesthetic. By ranking these plants, garden enthusiasts and professionals alike gain a resource to see which varieties might best suit their own green spaces. Voting on the most beautiful Viburnum encourages a community of gardeners to share their experiences and preferences, enriching the gardening community with diverse opinions and insights. This dynamic collection of votes continuously updates to reflect the most admired varieties, offering an engaging and interactive way for everyone to connect with nature and each other through shared botanical interests.

What Is the Most Beautiful Viburnum?

1

75
votes
Viburnum carlesii

Known for its fragrant pinkish-white flowers that bloom in the spring, V. carlesii is a beautiful viburnum with a compact form. Its leaves turn to a lovely burgundy color in the fall.
Viburnum carlesii, commonly known as Korean spice viburnum, is a deciduous shrub that belongs to the Adoxaceae family. It is native to Korea and Japan and is highly regarded for its remarkable fragrance and beautiful flowers.

Height: 5-8 feet

Spread: 5-8 feet

Foliage: Oval, dark green leaves turning reddish-purple in fall

Flowers: Clusters of pink buds opening to fragrant, white blooms

Fragrance: Strong, spicy, and sweet aroma
2

30
votes
Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum

This viburnum variety has been cultivated in Japan since the 18th century for its elegant, tiered branches and white lacecap flowers that bloom in late spring.
Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum is a stunning deciduous shrub that belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. It is commonly known as doublefile viburnum due to its unique growth habit, where the branches are arranged in horizontal tiers, creating a beautiful layered effect.

Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Common Name: Doublefile Viburnum

Origin: Unknown, possibly Japan

Size: 6-10 feet (1.8-3 meters) in height and width
3

34
votes
SB_Johnny · CC BY-SA 3.0

Viburnum x burkwoodii

A hybrid between V. carlesii and V. utile, V. x burkwoodii has fragrant pinkish-white flowers that bloom in the spring and glossy dark green leaves that turn bronze in the fall.
Viburnum x burkwoodii, commonly known as Burkwood viburnum, is a stunning deciduous shrub that is cherished for its fragrant flowers and attractive foliage. It is a hybrid plant that was created by crossing Viburnum carlesii and Viburnum utile.

Height: 6-8 feet

Width: 6-8 feet

Foliage: Dark green leaves, ovate in shape, with a slight glossiness

Flower Type: Clusters of fragrant, white to pinkish-white, tubular flowers

Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
4

9
votes
Lestat (Jan Mehlich) · CC BY-SA 3.0

Viburnum opulus

Known as the European cranberrybush, V. opulus has beautiful white flowers that bloom in the spring followed by bright red berries in the fall. Its leaves turn to shades of red, orange, and yellow in the autumn.
Viburnum opulus, commonly known as European cranberrybush or guelder rose, is a deciduous shrub native to Europe and parts of Asia. It is characterized by its beautiful and showy clusters of white flowers in spring, followed by bright red berries in autumn that persist through winter. The plant features maple-like lobed leaves that turn vibrant shades of red in the fall, adding to its aesthetic appeal.

Height: 2-4 meters

Spread: 2-4 meters

Flower color: White

Flowering season: Spring

Fruit color: Bright red
5

15
votes
Viburnum trilobum

A North American native, V. trilobum is also known as the American cranberrybush. It has beautiful white flowers that bloom in the spring followed by bright red berries in the fall. Its leaves turn to shades of red, orange, and yellow in the autumn.
Viburnum trilobum, commonly known as American cranberrybush or highbush cranberry, is a deciduous shrub native to North America. It is highly regarded for its ornamental features, making it a beautiful addition to any garden or landscape. The shrub typically grows to a height of 8-12 feet and has a rounded habit with spreading branches and dense foliage. In spring, it produces clusters of small white flowers that give way to bright red berries in the fall. The deeply lobed, maple-like leaves add further visual interest to the plant throughout the growing season.

Scientific Name: Viburnum trilobum

Common Name: American Cranberrybush, Highbush Cranberry

Native Region: North America

Height: 8-12 feet

Habit: Rounded with spreading branches
6

6
votes
Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0

Viburnum tinus

Commonly known as laurustinus, V. tinus has white or pinkish-white flowers that bloom in the winter and early spring followed by blue-black berries. Its leaves are evergreen and have a glossy dark green color.
Viburnum tinus, commonly known as Laurustinus, is a species of flowering shrub in the family Adoxaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region, particularly in Southern Europe.

Height: 2 to 4 meters

Spread: 2 to 4 meters

Leaves: Dark green, oval, and shiny

Flowers: White to light pink clusters of small, fragrant flowers

Blooming Season: Winter to spring
7

12
votes
Kris Miller from Issaquah · CC BY 2.0

Viburnum davidii

A low-growing viburnum with dark green, leathery leaves and clusters of white flowers in the spring, V. davidii is known for its blue-black berries that persist into the winter.
Viburnum davidii is a species of evergreen shrub that belongs to the Adoxaceae family. It is commonly known as David viburnum and is native to China. It is primarily cultivated for its attractive foliage and unique characteristics.

Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Height: 2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters)

Spread: 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters)

Foliage: Leathery, dark green

Leaf Shape: Oval
8

5
votes
Viburnum lentago

Also known as nannyberry, V. lentago has beautiful white flowers that bloom in the spring followed by blue-black berries in the fall. Its leaves turn to shades of red, orange, and yellow in the autumn.
Viburnum lentago, commonly known as Nannyberry or Sheepberry, is a species of flowering shrub in the family Adoxaceae. It is native to North America, particularly in the northeastern and north-central regions. Nannyberry is highly appreciated for its aesthetic appeal and is often cultivated for ornamental purposes in gardens and landscapes.

Height: 6-12 meters

Leaves: Opposite, shiny dark green, turning reddish-purple in the fall

Flowers: Small, white, fragrant, arranged in flattened clusters

Fruit: Elongated, blue-black berries

Blooming Season: Late spring to early summer
9

6
votes
Viburnum cassinoides

Also known as witherod viburnum, V. cassinoides has beautiful white flowers that bloom in the spring followed by blue-black berries in the fall. Its leaves turn to shades of red, orange, and yellow in the autumn.
Viburnum cassinoides, commonly known as Witherod Viburnum, is a deciduous shrub native to North America. It is renowned for its beautiful and delicate clusters of white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. The plant boasts vibrant green foliage throughout the growing season, transitioning to shades of red, purple, and burgundy in the fall. Witherod Viburnum attracts birds with its clusters of red berries, adding to its ornamental value.

Scientific Name: Viburnum cassinoides

Common Name: Witherod Viburnum

Family: Adoxaceae

Native To: North America

Flower Color: White
10

2
votes
SB_Johnny · CC BY-SA 3.0

Viburnum sieboldii

Philipp Franz von Siebold

A Japanese native, V. sieboldii is known for its showy clusters of white flowers that bloom in the spring and its glossy, dark green leaves that turn to shades of red, orange, and yellow in the autumn.
Viburnum sieboldii, also known as Siebold viburnum, is a highly ornamental shrub that is native to East Asia. It was first discovered by Philipp Franz von Siebold, a German physician and botanist, in Japan in 1824. With its elegant foliage and stunning flowers, Viburnum sieboldii is considered one of the most beautiful viburnum species.

Height: 6-12 feet

Spread: 6-10 feet

Foliage: Deciduous

Leaf color: Green, turning reddish-purple in autumn

Flower color: White

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Discussion

Ranking factors for beautiful Viburnum

Foliage

The foliage of Viburnums can greatly impact their beauty. Look for vibrant, healthy leaves, interesting shapes, or unique features such as variegation or fall color.
Form and structure

Consider the overall shape, size, and growth habit of the Viburnum. Upright, rounded, or weeping growth habits may appeal to individuals differently.
Fragrance

Some Viburnums possess fragrant flowers, which can contribute to their beauty and allure.
Berry production

Many Viburnums produce ornamental berries that offer additional color and visual interest. These berries may also attract birds, adding another element of beauty.
Seasonal interest

Consider how beautiful the Viburnum is throughout the year, including the presence of flowers, foliage, berries, or colorful bark in various seasons.
Disease and pest resistance

A healthy Viburnum will be more beautiful than one that is constantly plagued by pests or diseases. Seek out varieties known for their resistance to common issues.
Hardiness

A Viburnum's beauty can be significantly impacted by its ability to thrive in various climate conditions, particularly extreme cold or heat.
Adaptability

Consider the Viburnum's adaptability to various soil types, moisture levels, and light conditions. The more adaptable a Viburnum is, the better it will look in a variety of landscapes.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful Viburnum. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Viburnum is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

3741 views
197 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Viburnum once every 24 hours. The rank of each Viburnum is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most beautiful viburnum

Viburnum is a genus of flowering shrubs and small trees that are popular in gardens and landscapes around the world. With over 150 species and countless cultivars, viburnums come in all shapes and sizes, from compact shrubs to towering trees. They are known for their beautiful, fragrant flowers, which range in color from white to pink and even red. Viburnums also produce attractive berries that are a favorite of birds and other wildlife. When it comes to choosing the most beautiful viburnum, it's a matter of personal preference. Some gardeners may prefer the delicate, lace-like flowers of Viburnum plicatum, while others may be drawn to the bright pink blooms of Viburnum carlesii. Viburnum opulus 'Roseum', commonly known as the snowball bush, is another popular choice with its large clusters of white, spherical flowers. No matter which viburnum you choose, you can be sure that it will add beauty and interest to your garden.