Vol. 10 No. 5 MORTON ARBORETUM JOY MORTON, Founder BULLETIN OF POPULAR INFORMATION

LISLE, ILLINOIS July 20, 1935 8ubscription $1 a year; lOc a copy. Copyrighted by Morton Arboretum

LOCAL OFFICERS C. E. Godshalk, E. L. Kammerer, John van Gernert, Superintendent Botanist Propagator·

V,IBURNUMS PART I , If an attempt were made to enumerate the "indispensables" among ornamental , there is no doubt whatsoever but what the Viburnums of the Honeysuckle family would rate a position well toward the top of the list. For, with their shapely habit of growth, splendid foliage and decorative and , few genera surpass them in all-round excellence. Of the one hundred or more distinct of Viburnums known, approximately fifty per cent of them are now under cultivation. The headquarters of the is in the Orient, although .the eastern section of our own countrv has contributed a number of attractive forms. Europe has furnished only a few. Botanically, the Viburnums possess several distinctive character­ istics. They are either or evergreen with simple, often lobed, oppositely arranged , white or pinkish flowers borne - in terminal, flat, rounded clusters, or rarely in pyramidal panicles, and one seeded red, black or blue (drupes). In size the bushes vary from the eighteen inch Dwarf Highbush Cranberry to the occasionally ,thirty­ foot arborescent Black-Haw or Nannyberry. The majority of them are classed as medium sized shrubs, however, averaging between five and ten· feet in height. While generally tolerant of both soil and position, most species appreciate a rich loamy soil, moisture and full sunlight. Others, like the Arrowwood, Nannyberry, Withe-rod, Kentucky, Siebold and Maple­ Viburnums, prefer shade. The latter will thrive . in dry soil, as will also the Linden and Downy Viburnums, the Wayfaring tree, Black­ Haw and European Cranberry bush. Being practically resistant to insect and disease attacks and requiring little or no pruning to keep them in shape, their worth as garden shrubs is quite apparent. Unfor­ tunately they are not all hardy in our locality, the evergreen forms in particular. The native types are ideal for naturalistic groupings along streams, roadsides or woodland borders, where they form pleasing transition plantings between wood and meadowland. As lawn specimens or accents in more formal shrubbery borders, the asiatic species offer their varied qualifications. Our Vibu·rnum collection, excluding seedlings, includes at present the following species and varieties: 17 , Maple leaf Viburnum, or Dockmackie Aspect: an upright to 6 ft. with slender upright branches. Habitat: N. B. to Minn., south to N. C. Identification: coarsely-toothed, three-lobed, maple-like leaves; fertile flowers; black fruit. Landscape Value: brilliant fall color (purple t o crimson); fine for planting in dry, shaded locations. Viburnum affine, Missouri Viburnum Aspect: dense, compact shrub to 6 ft. tall. Habitat: Missouri. Identification: leaves rounded, heart shaped at base, coarsely toothed with 4 to 6 pairs of veins; petioles with stipules; fruit oval, bluish black; bark close. Landscape Value: white flowers in profusion in June and July; edible fruit in September, attractive to birds. Viburnum bitchiuense, Japanese Fragrant or Yeddo Viburnum Aspect: slender, often straggling shrub; closely related to V. Carlesii. Habitat: Japan. Identification: leaves smaller than those of V. Carlesii, obtuse and often subcordate; flowers in smaller cymes. Landscape -value: fragrant white flowers in May. Viburnum burej aeticum, MJanchurian Viburnum Aspect: shrub to 15 ft. high; allied to V. lantana. Habitat: Manchuria, N. China. Identification: veins of leaves dividing and forming a fine connecting network before reaching the margins; leaves smaller than those of V. lantana and with acute tips; flowers white; fruit bluish black. Landscape Value: Wilson mentions that this species has little to recommend except its rarity. , Fragrant Viburnum Aspect: broad, round topped bush to 4 or 5 ft. in height. Habitat: Korea. Identification: flowers early, in dense hemispherical cymes; leaves dull green, hairy above, and densely so beneath, irregularly toothed, the veins ending in the teeth, branchlets pubescent. Landscape Value.: waxy flowers, rich pink in opening to pure white, of pleasing clove-like fragrance; they appear in late April or early May; blue black fruit in September. Remarks: one of the choicest members of the clan. , Withe-rod or Appalachian Tea Aspect: upright shrub to. 6, or occasionally 12 ft. high. Habitat: Nfld. to Mont. and Minn., south to N. C. Identification: smooth, dull green leaves, elliptic or long oval in shape, acute or bluntly acuminate, with wavy margins; flowers produced in cymes on short stems, differing-· in this respect from V. lentago and V. prunifolium; drooping fruit clusters. Landscape Value: creamy white clusters in June followed by ornamental fruits changing from green to pink and then black; handsome fall foliage color (purple to orange red); valuable for planting in wet locations. Viburnum cotinifolium Aspect: shrub to 6 ft. or more with spreading branch.es; related to V. lantana. Habitat: N. W. Himalayas. 18 Identification: corolla lobes shorter than the tube; cymes usually with 5 rays; leaves orbicular-ovate to ovate, crenulate dentate or almost entire, wrinkled above, tomentose beneath. Landscape Value: white, pinkish tinged flowers ; red fruit changing to black. Remarks: has not been thoroughly tested here. Viburnum dasyanthum Aspect: shapely, round-headed bush to 7 ft. (dentatum type). Habitat: C. China (Introduced by E. H. Wilson). · Identification: leaves thin, dark green, prominently serrate, glabrous or pubescent only on the veins beneath; pedicels, ovary and outside of corolla villous (covered with long, silky hairs). Landscape Value: large white flowers in June; brilliant red fruit in autumn. , Arrowwood Aspect: an attractive shrub of upright, bushy habit to 15 ft. in height. Habitat: N. B. to Minn., south to Georgia. Identification: rather long petioled leaves, round or oval in shape, coarsely toothed, with 6 to 10 pairs of. prominent veins; lustrous green above, hairy only in the axils of the veins below; branch­ lets gray; flowers white, in long peduncled cymes 2 to 3 inches across; fruit bluish black, glaucous. Landscape Value: deep green foliage turning purple and red in fall; handsome blossoms from late May through June; decorative fruit in October which is attractive to birds. Remarks: prefers moist soil in shade. , Japanese Cranberry bush or Linden Viburnum Aspect: compact, medium sized bush to 10 feet. Habitat: Japan. Identification: broadly ovate leaves, abruptly short acuminate, pubescent on bcith sides; veins prominent, 5 to 8 pairs; creamy white flowers in June in numerous hairy stemmed cymes; small red fruit. Landscape Value: free flowering habit; attractive scarlet fruits in Sept. and Oct. remaining on the branches until late. Viburnum erosum, Beech Viburnum Aspect: slender, uprightly branched shrub to 6 feet. Habitat: Japan. Identification: leaves oblong ovate, pubescent on the veins beneath; petioles %, to 11h inches long, with awl shaped stipules; cymes 2 1h to 3 inches across, long peduncled and loose; fruit globose ovoid, red. Landscape Value: white flowers in June; red fruit in September. Remarks: our have not reached fruiting size. Viburnum fragrans · Aspect: medium sized, round headed shrub to 10 feet. Habitat: N. China. Identification: thick, dark green, prominently-veined leaves; flowers in paniculate cymes; corolla tubular; branches brown. Landscape Value: fragrant pinkish flowers in May before the leaves; handsome foliage. Remarks: its hardiness in our climate has not been sufficiently tested as yet. Viburnum hanceanum Aspect: small shrub with light green foliage very similar to that of V. scabrellum. Habitat: obtained from the Central Experimental Farm, Ot­ tawa, Canada, in 1928. Remarks: a very small . 19 Viburnum hupehense, Hupeh Viburnum Aspect: upright growing shrub to 6 feet Habitat: central China (introduced by E. H. Wilson). Identification: leaves broad ovate to ovate, coarsely dentate, pubes­ cent on both sides, 7 or 8 pairs of veins; petioles stipulate, · densely pubescent; cymes usually 5 rayed; fruit ovoid, red. Landscape Value: handsome red fruits in September. Viburnum Jackii Aspect: an upright shrub of dense habit resembling V. Lentago. Habitat: of hybrid origin (V. Lentago x V. prunifolium). Identification: lustrous, leathery, deep green leaves, with crenate serrate margins, differing from V. Lentago in that the leaves are less acuminate, less pale beneath and the petioles are not as broadly winged. Landscape Value: attractive deep green foliage. , Wayfaring Tree Aspect: vigorous upright shrub or small tree to 20 ft. with stout scurvy branches and bold foliage. Habitat: Europe and W. Asia. Identification: leaves 2 to 4 inches in length, wrinkled, rough and closely denticulate veins straight, ending · in the teeth, stellate pubescent above and below; branchlets scurvy pubescent; flow­ ers in flat, usually 7 rayed pubescent cymes; ovoid oblong fruit changing from red to black; winter naked. Landscape Value: fiat topped clusters of cream colored flowers in late May and June; extremely showy fruits from July to Sep­ tember, bright red at first, changing to black as they ripen;_ foliage gray green in summer, turning red in fall; suited for dry situations and limestone soil. Viburnum Lantana aurea marginata Identification: a variety whose leaves are finely margined yellow. Viburnum Lantana lanceolatum Identification: variety with larger, more lanceolate leaves. Viburnum Lantana macrophylla Identification: variety with larger leaves of coarser texture. Viburnum Lantana rugosum, Wrinkleleaf Wayfaring Tree Identification: variety with larger, more wrinkled leaves and larger flower clusters. Viburnum Lantana versicolor Identification: variety with light yellow green foliage. Viburnum Len ta go, N annyberry or Sheepberry Aspect: slender branched arborescent shrub to 30 feet. Habitat: Hudson Bay to Man. south to Ga. and Miss. Identification: leaves 2 to 4 inches long, oval or elliptical in shape, sharp pointed, finely serrate, rounded or wedge shaped at the base, smooth and glossy; petioles with wavy wings; cymes ses­ sile, 4 to 5 inches across; fruit oval, bluish black with a bloom in drooping terminal clusters; winter buds gray, the terminal long pointed. Landscape Value: fragrant white flowers in late May and June; edible blue black fruits in September and October, often per­ sisting into the winter; brilliant reddish or purple fall color; adaptable for planting in moist shaded situations. (To be continued) E. L. K.

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