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Viburnum burkwoodii
Burkwood viburnum
Garden hybrid — raised by Burkwood and Skipwith in England in 1924; a cross between {V. carlesii} (Korea) and {V. utile} (central China)Learn more
At a Glance
TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height6-10 feet (1.8-3 m)
Width5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m)
Maturity6 years
Key Features
Maintenancelow
Overview
Viburnum × burkwoodii is Burkwood viburnum, an upright semi-evergreen shrub growing 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) tall and 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m) wide. White flowers from pink buds, tubular opening to flat 5-lobed corollas 0.3 inch (8 mm), in dense rounded clusters 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) in April-May. Strongly fragrant (sweet spicy scent inherited from the V. carlesii parent). Glossy dark green ovate to elliptic opposite leaves 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm), gray-tomentose beneath. Semi-evergreen — retains foliage through winter in zones 7-8, drops in zones 4-6. Turns red in fall. In Adoxaceae. A hybrid between V. carlesii and V. utile, raised in England in 1924. The upright habit becomes leggy and bare at the base with age — renewal pruning is needed to maintain foliage to the ground. This leggy basal habit is the primary aesthetic limitation. Bacterial leaf spot can cause defoliation in humid conditions. Common cultivars: 'Mohawk' (red buds, compact, disease-resistant), 'Conoy' (compact). Deer-resistant. Drought-tolerant once established. Non-toxic. Zones 4-8. Full sun to partial shade. Growth rate is moderate.
Native Range
Garden hybrid — raised by Burkwood and Skipwith in England in 1924. A cross between V. carlesii (Korea) and V. utile (central China).Suggested Uses
Grown as a specimen shrub, foundation plant, and informal hedge spaced 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m). Fragrant spring bloom. Semi-evergreen in mild climates. 'Mohawk' for compact form and disease resistance. Non-toxic. Zones 4-8.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 10'
Width/Spread5' - 8'
Reaches mature size in approximately 6 years
Bloom Information
Mid to late spring (April-May). White flowers from pink buds in dense rounded clusters 2-3 inches (5-7 cm). Strongly fragrant (sweet spicy). 3 weeks on old wood. Bee- and butterfly-visited. Sparse red-to-black berries sometimes follow.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White from pink buds, tubular opening to flat 5-lobed corolla, 0.3 inch (8 mm), in dense rounded to hemispherical clusters 2-3 inches (5-7 cm); strongly fragrant (sweet spicy scent)Foliage Description
Glossy dark green above, gray-tomentose (felted) beneath, simple, ovate to elliptic, opposite, 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm), finely serrated; semi-evergreen — retains foliage through winter in zones 7-8, drops in zones 4-6; turns red in fall before droppingGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun to partial shade (4-12 hours). Well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.5. Drought-tolerant once established. Semi-evergreen (retains foliage in zones 7-8). Becomes leggy at the base with age — renewal prune. Bacterial leaf spot in humid conditions. Blooms on old wood — prune after flowering (May-June). Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 4-8.Pruning
Prune after flowering (May-June) — blooms on old wood. Remove 1/3 of the oldest stems at the base annually for renewal to prevent leggy bare-stemmed base. The cultivar 'Mohawk' is more compact and resists leggy growth. Do not prune in late winter (removes flower buds).Pruning Schedule
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F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
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D
late spring