Chinese Viburnum (Viburnum Propinquum)

Chinese Viburnum

Features and Characteristics

Viburnum propinquum, sometimes commonly called Chinese evergreen viburnum, is a compact, bushy, rounded, evergreen shrub that typically grows in a mound to 6-8′ tall and as wide. It is native to forest areas in central and western China. Small greenish-white flowers in showy rounded clusters (umbel-like cymes to 2-3″ wide) bloom in late spring. Flowers are followed by small, glossy, egg-shaped fruits that mature to blue-black in fall. Fruits are attractive to birds. Reddish-brown new growth branchlets turn gray after the first year. Glossy, leathery, 3-veined, opposite, elliptic to ovate-lanceolate, deep green leaves (to 3 1/2″ long) are evergreen, but acquire burgundy tones in fall-winter.

Genus name comes from the Latin name of a species plant.

Care and Maintenance

Winter hardy to USDA Zone 7 where it is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Plants generally appreciate some afternoon shade in hot summer climates. If grown in St. Louis (USDA Zone – , it should be sited in a protected growing area and given a good winter much. Best growth usually occurs with consistent and even moisture. This is an evergreen shrub, but it tends to be semi-evergreen to deciduous near the far northern edge of its growing range.

Chinese Viburnum (Viburnum Propinquum) Requirements

Hardiness zone	7 - 9
Sun light	Full Sun To Part Shade
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Medium

Common Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Leaf scorch may occur in hot full sun locations.

Uses

Compact broadleaf evergreen shrub for informal hedges, foundations, borders or open woodland areas. Spring flowers, fall fruit and evergreen foliage make this an interesting and attractive landscape shrub.

Chinese Viburnum (Viburnum Propinquum) Details

Common name	Chinese Viburnum
Botanical name	Viburnum Propinquum
Plant type	Broadleaf Evergreen
Family	Adoxaceae
Hardiness zone	7 - 9
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Flower color	Greenish-White
Flowering period	May
Height	6 - 8 Ft.
Width	6 - 8 Ft.