What hardiness zones is Viburnum carlesii suitable for?

Viburnum carlesii is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Viburnum carlesii?

Viburnum carlesii requires Full Sun.

How much water does Viburnum carlesii need?

Viburnum carlesii has Medium water needs.

Deciduous Shrubs

Viburnum carlesii

Korean spice viburnum

AdoxaceaeKorea and Japan

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m)

Width4-7 feet (1.2-2.1 m)

Maturity6 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Fragrant (strong)

Container Friendly

Maintenancelow

Overview

Viburnum carlesii is a deciduous shrub reaching 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) tall with a spread of 4-7 feet (1.2-2.1 m), developing a compact, dense, rounded form. Among the most intensely fragrant of all spring-flowering shrubs. Leaves are alternate, simple, broadly ovate, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, dull grayish-green, softly pubescent on both surfaces, giving a matte, slightly rough texture. Fall color is dull reddish-purple to wine, variable. Flowers open from deep pink buds to white, waxy-textured, tubular, 0.5 inch (13 mm) across, borne in dense, rounded terminal clusters (cymes) 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) across in April to May. Fragrance is intensely sweet and spicy, often described as clove-like or vanilla-like — one of the most memorable fragrances in the spring garden. Fruit is red, ripening to blue-black, sparse. Growth rate is slow at 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) per year. Named for William Richard Carles, a British consul in Korea who collected the species in 1885. More compact and slower-growing than its hybrid offspring V. x burkwoodii. Can be somewhat susceptible to bacterial leaf spot and aphids. A Great Plant Picks recommendation.

Native Range

Native to Korea and Japan. First collected by William Richard Carles in Korea in 1885, introduced to Western cultivation via Japan circa 1902.

Suggested Uses

Planted near entries, paths, patios, and windows where the exceptional spring fragrance can be enjoyed at close range, spaced 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 m) apart. The compact size makes it suitable for smaller gardens and foundation plantings where V. x burkwoodii would be too large. Combines well with other fragrant spring-flowering shrubs and bulbs. Cut branches can be forced indoors in late winter. A Great Plant Picks recommendation.

How to Identify

Identified by compact rounded habit 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m), dull grayish-green softly pubescent leaves, dense rounded clusters of intensely fragrant white flowers opening from deep pink buds in spring. Distinguished from V. x burkwoodii by smaller size (4-6 vs 6-10 feet), dull matte (not glossy) leaf surface, fully deciduous (not semi-evergreen) habit, and slower growth. Distinguished from V. x bodnantense by spring (not winter) bloom.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4' - 6'

Width/Spread4' - 7'

Reaches mature size in approximately 6 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

red

purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Deep pink buds open to white, waxy flowers in dense rounded clusters in April to May, lasting 2-3 weeks. Fragrance is intensely sweet and spicy — clove-like — and is one of the most powerful and distinctive fragrances among spring-flowering shrubs. The bicolor effect of pink buds and white open flowers is attractive during the opening period.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White from deep pink buds

Foliage Description

Dull grayish-green, softly pubescent

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclay

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly; prefers consistent moisture, particularly during establishment. Plant in full sun to part shade; flowers best with more sun. Prefers moist, well-drained soil, slightly acidic to neutral. Good air circulation is important to reduce bacterial leaf spot, which can be disfiguring in humid conditions. Aphids can colonize new growth. Mulch to maintain cool, moist root conditions. Slower growing and more compact than V. x burkwoodii, requiring less space.

Pruning

Prune after flowering in May to June. Minimal pruning needed due to the naturally compact habit. Thin oldest stems at the base every few years to maintain vigor. Remove dead and crossing branches. Avoid heavy pruning, which destroys the naturally rounded form. Do not prune in late summer through winter — removes flower buds.

Pruning Schedule

summer

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 10 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic