Spring Lace Viburnum

The Spring Lace Viburnum is a remarkable deciduous shrub known for its compact form and stunning, fragrant blossoms. Standing 5-7 feet tall and wide, it's an ideal choice for smaller gardens or as a distinctive border plant. This variety was cultivated by Dr. Michael Dirr at the University of Georgia, notable for its attractive, manageable characteristics.

One of the standout attributes of this plant is its flower display. In May, the shrub becomes an absolute showstopper, covered in pure white, lacy inflorescences. The floral arrangement consists of a harmonious balance of sterile florets and fertile flowers, creating an appealing texture that truly adds to the overall landscape.

Aside from its flowers, the Spring Lace Viburnum also has remarkable foliage. Its leathery, dark green leaves provide a rich backdrop to the white flowers, and in early fall, they transition to a wine-red hue. In milder winters, the foliage can remain evergreen, offering year-round interest.

Despite its bountiful floral display, the plant has minimal fruit set, reducing the need for extensive clean-up. Its full sun to part shade exposure requirements and rounded growth pattern make it a versatile addition to many gardens. The shrub thrives best in USDA hardiness zones 6-9 and heat zone 9, capable of withstanding a wide range of temperature extremes.

The Spring Lace Viburnum is a versatile plant, offering numerous possibilities for landscaping use. Here are some of the ways you can incorporate this shrub into your landscape:

1. Specimen Plant: Due to its attractive lacy inflorescences, dark green foliage, and vibrant fall colors, it can be used as a specimen plant. This means it can serve as a focal point in the garden due to its beauty and unique characteristics.
2. Border or Hedge: Its compact, rounded growth habit (5-7 feet in both height and width) makes the Spring Lace Viburnum an excellent choice for use as a border or hedge. It can provide privacy when planted in a row and it can delineate different parts of the garden.
3. Foundation Plantings: This shrub can be used in foundation plantings, which are plants that are placed around the foundation of a house to hide the base and enhance curb appeal.
4. Mixed Shrub Border: You can combine Spring Lace Viburnum with other shrubs to create a mixed shrub border. This can add diversity and multi-season interest to your landscape.
5. Wildlife Garden: The Spring Lace Viburnum can attract a variety of wildlife. Birds may be attracted to any fruit it produces, and its flowers can attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
6. Container Plant: Given its moderate size, it can be grown in a large container, which can then be placed in patios or terraces.

Remember that the success of these landscaping uses will depend on planting the shrub in appropriate conditions based on its needs, such as full sun to partial shade exposure and a well-drained soil. As always, it's a good idea to consult with a local nursery or extension service to get specific advice for your area and conditions.

Here's a guide on how to plant and care for your Spring Lace Viburnum:

Planting:

1. Selecting a Site: Choose a spot that gets full sun to partial shade. The plant will need at least four hours of direct sunlight each day. Make sure the site can accommodate the mature size of the shrub (5-7 feet in both height and width).
2. Soil Preparation: The Spring Lace Viburnum prefers well-drained soil. Enrich the soil with organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to improve its structure and fertility.
3. Planting: Dig a hole that's twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball of your plant. Place the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the ground surface. Backfill with soil and firm it gently around the roots.

Care:

1. Watering: Water the plant thoroughly after planting. Continue to water regularly for the first few weeks to help the plant establish. After that, water when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
2. Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and insulate the roots from temperature extremes.
3. Fertilizing: Feed the plant with a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring before new growth starts. Always follow the package instructions when using fertilizer.
4. Pruning: Pruning is not essential for this shrub as it naturally maintains a nice rounded shape. If necessary, prune after the flowers have faded to maintain size and shape.
5. Pest and Disease Control: Monitor the plant regularly for signs of pests or diseases. If any are detected, identify the problem and treat it accordingly. The Spring Lace Viburnum is generally resistant to most pests and diseases.

Local conditions can affect care requirements, so it's always a good idea to consult with a local nursery or extension service for the most accurate care information.