Korean Spice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Korean spice viburnum is a shrub native to Korea and Japan and grown in U.S. gardens for its fragrant flowers. Its pink buds open into rounded clusters of white flowers in spring.

Appearance

Growth form: This shrub usually grows 4–6 ft (1.2–1.8 m) tall.
Leaves: Paired leaves have toothed edges and a softly hairy underside.
Flowers: Rounded flower clusters open white from pink to red buds and have a strong fragrance.
Flowering time: In North Carolina, the flowers appear in spring.
Fruit: Small red fruits turn blue-black as they ripen.

Look-alikes

Burkwood viburnumViburnum × burkwoodii

Both have scented white flowers from pink buds. Burkwood viburnum often keeps some glossy leaves through winter in warmer U.S. gardens; Korean spice viburnum drops its leaves.

Why they get mixed upBurkwood viburnum is a garden hybrid with Korean spice viburnum as one parent.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Garden borders
Shrub plantings
Range: Native to Korea and Japan, it is grown as an ornamental shrub in the United States.
Preferred conditions: In North Carolina gardens, it grows in sun or part shade and well-drained soil, in 4–7.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms: ‘Diana’ is a garden selection of this species with fragrant flowers that open from colored buds.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: In U.S. gardens, people plant it in shrub borders or near paths to enjoy its scent.

11 sources