Plants

Viburnum farreri

[Fragrant Viburnum]

Some winter protection promotes best growth. Early flowering in spring is sometimes followed by a later frost/freeze that kills back the flowers and inhibits leaf growth.

Viburnum opulus

[European Cranberrybush Viburnum]

Widely tolerant of soils and microclimates, although found in more wet sites in wild stands. May be troubled by aphids. The snowball variety, V. opulus 'Roseum', is badly troubled by aphids. Prune on a 3-year cycle to maintain best form and fruiting. Flower cymes have an outer showy and sterile ring and an inner inconspicuous and fertile cluster which produces the berries.

Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum

[Doublefile Viburnum]

The Doublefire Viburnum is fertile and more commonly used in the landscape than the sterile Japanese Snowball Viburnum (Viburnum plicatum f. plicatum). The white flowers are reminiscent of a lace doily with sterile showy flowers at edge surrounding the non-showy fertile flowers. Flower clusters accentuate the horizontal branching. Fruits are red that change to black if not eaten by birds, beginning in late summer.

Viburnum × 'Pragense'

[Prague Viburnum]

More drought tolerant than most Viburnums. Topping may be needed initially to encourage branching. This hybrid arose in Prague, Czechoslovakia in the 1950s.

Viburnum prunifolium

[Blackhaw Viburnum]

Widely tolerant of different soils and exposures. Transplants well. Relatively trouble-free. Can be pruned to form a nice hedge. Scale and borers are occasional problems. The edible fruits are sweet and can be eaten fresh, or used in jams and preserves.

Viburnum × rhytidophylloides 'Willowwood'

[Willowwood Lantanaphyllum Viburnum]

Poor tolerance to heavy wind environments. Great plant in the Midwest, flowering in the spring and even sporadically into the fall. Foliage sometimes lasting well into the winter. Prune right after flowering, because new buds for the following year form in the summer.

Viburnum × dentatum 'Fireworks'

[Fireworks™ Arrowwood Viburnum]

Adaptive cultivar that thrives in various conditions. Attracts pollinators with it large white clusters of flowers.

Vinca minor

[Common Periwinkle]

One of the best evergreen ground covers for a shady location. Spreads quickly after establishment. Subject to stem-rot disease when grown vigorously and in wet soil. Also does not like very dry soil and full sun. Does best with regular watering on well-drained soil.

Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls'

[Amethyst Falls Wisteria]

Slower growth, more compact habit, and slightly smaller foliage than the species

Zanthoxylum americanum

[Prickly Ash]