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Viburnum carlesii 'Summer Hill'

Korean Spice Viburnum

Plant Type:

BROADLEAF EVERGREEN SHRUBS

Viburnum carlesii 'Summerhill' - A selection of Korean Spice Viburnum made by Mike Johnson at Summerhill Nursery right here in Madison, Connecticut. It is very like the species save two distinuishing features: 'Summerhill' holds onto its tiers of leaves long into the winter. Also, the leaves are glossy dark green, darker and with more sheen than the matte-finished species. We wonder if planted in zone 7 or into 8 if it might retain foliage even longer? It's a nice selection with all the heady perfume of Korean Spice Viburnum very early in the season, a rounded upright outline plus its semi-evergreen propensity in a deep, dark satiny green. Red fruit in autumn darken to black and are persistent. Fertile, draining soil in sun. Established potted Viburnum from cutting.


Height:

6-8 Feet

Spread:

6-8 Feet

Colors:

White

Zone:

4 to 7(8)
What is my hardiness zone?

Characteristics and Attributes for Viburnum carlesii 'Summer Hill'

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Spring
  • Early Spring

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer / Autumn / into Winter

Autumn Interest

  • Autumn Leaf Color

Nature Attraction

  • Honey Bees & Native Bees
  • Butterflies
  • Hummingbirds

Light

  • Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
  • Full Sun

Attributes

  • Border
  • Evergreen
  • Cottage Garden
  • Woodland
  • Shrub Border
  • Fragrant
  • Accent
  • Hedge
  • Specimen

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Medium

Soil

  • Fertile
  • Draining
  • Humus Laden
  • Organic
  • Woodland

Origins

  • Garden Origin

Propagated By

  • Cutting Grown

Genus Overview: Viburnum

Common Name: Viburnum

Viburnum. This genus is full of fantastic, multi-season garden worthy shrubs. Garden heroes. Spring flowers, often large and showy, many with heady sweet fragrance are arranged in cymes. Some smell of musk (Viburnum dilatatum) while others produce no fragrance at all. Flowers are followed with berries. If late season and autumn berries are desired then planting two of a species will ensure fruit set; for instance, Viburnum dilatatum 'Erie' and V. dilatatum 'Michael Dodge' will pollinate each other and produce fruit. Viburnum cassinoides is closely allied with V. nudum; but if the flowering times do not overlap then there will be no fruit. However, if you plant V. nudum 'Winterthur' in proximity with V. nudum var. angustifolium, 'Longwood', 'Moonshine' or 'Pink Beauty' berries will abound. Another interesting example is V. lantana which crosses with V. burejaeticum and vice versa. Any V. plicatum f. tomentosum selection such as 'Shasta' or 'Shoshoni' will pollinate with all other V. plicatum f. tomentosum selections like 'Copper Ridges or 'Pink Beauty'. But if you were to plant two 'Shasta' side by side with no other V. plicatum f. tomentosum in near proximity then your effort will be fruitless. As with almost all in the universe of plants there are exceptions. There is one viburnum which appears to be self-fruitful, Viburnum setigerum the Tea Viburnum. Another interesting exception to the rule is Viburnum nudum 'Pink Beauty' which is also self-fruitful - a departure from its siblings. And on the other spectrum are two I can think of off-hand that are barren, Viburnum plicatum 'Roseum' and Viburnum plicatum 'Kern's Pink'. Oftentimes, the dwarf viburnums reamin in a juvenile state and do not produce fruit. All Viburnum of any size that do produce fruit are magnificent in the late season garden. And they feed all manner of birds. Larger, denser shrubs provide cover and nesting opportunities. Nearly all Viburnum have terrific autumn foliage colors, too. Viburnums are members of Caprifoliaceae. All prefer part to full sun and fertile soils. All are cutting grown. Many thanks to Gary Ladman of Classic Viburnums who generously set us straight regarding some of the details we had originally incorrectly lauded... ya can't know everything!