Korean Spice viburnum

Judd viburnum

Fragrance is a wonderful trait to include in your landscape. Although most viburnum species are not odorous, these 7 stand out for their spring floral fragrance. Bloom dates mentioned here are for zones 6-7 (TN, VA, NC and KY).

Burkwood Viburnum (V. x burkwoodii)  is semi-evergreen, 7 to 8 feet tall and wide, with glossy dark green leaves that turn burgundy red in winter. The 2 to 3-inch flower clusters open spicy-fragrant white flowers in March or April. Red to black fruit appear in July to August. ‘Mohawk’  is an outstanding selection that is bacterial leaf spot resistant. Zones 4-8.

‘Dawn’ Bodnant Viburnum (V. x bodnantense) is an open branched shrub that grows to 10 feet or more high. This March-blooming specie opens with small open clusters of fragrant pink flowers that may be injured by freezes. ‘Dawn’ is the most popular cultivar. Zones 5-7

‘Cayuga’ snowball viburnum is a hybrid (V. x carlcephalum x V. carlesii) that grows 6 to 10 feet tall and wide. The mildly fragrant snowball flowers are white 4- to 5-inch clusters that open in April to early May. Fruits matures to black in early fall. Leaves are highly resistant of bacterial leaf spot and powdery mildew. Leaves turn dull purplish to dull red in fall. Zones 5-8.

Korean Spice Viburnum (V. carlesii) grows 4 to 8 feet tall and wide, with a dense, rounded habit. The leaves are similar to those of fragrant snowball, turning burgundy to purple in fall. Flowers are clove-scented, white, 2- to 3- inch clusters, opening in March to April. Fruit are red to black and mature in late summer. Zones 4-8.

Judd viburnum (V. carlesii x V. bitchiuense) is a deciduous shrub that typically matures to 6-8 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. Very fragrant white flowers in spring and dark green foliage, black fruit in fall and purple fall color. Ovate to ovate-oblong or elliptic, dark green leaves (to 2.5 inches long) turn burgundy purple to red in fall. Zones 5-8.

Prague Viburnum (V. x pragense), a hybrid between Viburnum rhytidophyllum and V. utile, produces pink floral buds open to 3-to 6-inch wide, creamy white, lightly fragrant  flower clusters in April into May. The 2-4 inch long semi-evergreen leaves are highly glossy. It is a fast growing upright shrub, 10 feet or more high. It is an excellent choice for a rapid growing screen or hedge. Green fruits first turn red and mature glossy black. Zones 5-8.

Japanese Viburnum (V. japonicum) is an underutilized evergreen species that  grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. Habit is dense and rounded with leathery, glossy green leaves. Flowers are fragrant and white, and fall berries are red. It forms a good screening plant. Zones 7-9.