Garden Classics:  a monthly retrospective featuring a singular plant species either under-planted or relatively unknown to gardeners living in the Southern Appalachian Region.

Prague Viburnum in early May

Prague viburnum (Viburnum x pragense) is a lovely evergreen shrub, which combines all the best traits of its parents (V. rhytidophyllum and V. utile). It is  winter hardy throughout the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7).  As the name indicates, this hybrid viburnum hails from the Czech Republic. It grows rapidly to a mature height and spread of 8 – 10 feet.

The rose pink colored floral buds begin to open in early May and lightly fragrant, creamy white flowers bloom for 2-3 weeks. Its lustrous dark  evergreen foliage is comprised of 2 – 4 inch elliptical shape leaves. Prague viburnum is a teriffic stand alone specimen shrub or you may group several as a hedge or privacy screen. It serves as an effective foil against peering or noisy neighbors when planted in one or more rows 6 – 8 foot apart.

Plant in any moderately drained garden soil and in a full sun to partial shade exposure. Disease and insect pests seem to leave this viburnum alone. Moderate resistance to deer feeding is reported, perhaps useless information if the deer are hungry. 

Rarely do I pruned my 15- year old Prague viburnum, only when it attempts to crowd out a nearby shrub in my admittedly overplanted garden.