Sweet viburnum
A versatile plant for a border or in a container, Viburnum odoratissum has fragrant white flowers and shiny foliage
Denise Bush
Viernes, 6 de julio 2018, 14:16
Viburnum odoratissum (sometimes listed as V. lucidum), is native to China, Japan, India and Burma. It is a surprisingly hardy plant and one of the few viburnums that will survive in a very hot climate. Commonly called sweet viburnum as the flowers are sweetly scented, it can be grown in a container, in a border or as a dense screen or hedge.
Left to its own devices it will form a medium-sized tree with a dense, multi-branched canopy but cutting it back hard in spring, and clipping it again after flowering, will promote new growth and encourage a compact growth habit.
Sweet viburnum has large, oval, leathery leaves which turn red in the autumn. The perfumed conical racemes of small, white flowers appear in spring and through the summer.
Keeping up with watering
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Gardening Hints
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Watering is now a serious business with early morning and evening soakings necessary to keep your garden looking healthy. Avoid watering in full sun as the water droplets on the foliage will cause leaf scorching and keep the hose out of the sun as a blast of near boiling water wont do any plant a lot of good. If you have an automatic irrigation system set up, check every nozzle once a week to clear any blockages and act quickly if any plants appear to be wilting. Another problem that comes with living in the campo is often irrigation pipes get chewed by rodents. Whether they are looking for a cool drink or just like to chew on plastic pipes is unclear, but any plants beyond the chewed section become deprived of water while others at the site of the damage may become flooded. Unfortunately there isnt a solution, except be extra vigilant and keep a stock of bits and pieces for repairs.
After flowering has finished the green berries appear, gradually turning red and then black as they mature; an autumn treat for the birds.
Although moderately drought-hardy once established, sweet viburnum looks best and stays healthier if watered regularly during the driest months of the year.
Calling all readers
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photos
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Mulching around the base will help the soil to retain moisture. It is a good idea sprinkle a slow-release fertiliser around the base of the plant in the spring.
Sweet viburnum will also survive short periods of frost and is resistant to salt winds close to the sea. Councils often use it in planting schemes in cities as it is not bothered by air pollution or poor, compacted soils.
