Viburnums are attractive, versatile, and adaptable shrubs that can be used to improve bird habitat in any landscape. They are suitable for use as hedges or screens, as well as in mixed perennial and shrub borders. Some viburnums, when properly pruned, can grow into medium-sized trees. Viburnums are classified as wet woodland plants. They can be found in nature along steam banks from Long Island to Florida.
Several are useful for today's water-conscious gardeners or in difficult urban environments. The Burkwood viburnum is one of the most well-known viburnums. Viburnums are tough and hardy, excel where other plants fail. Aim for a 20-25% evergreen ratio when choosing shrubs and trees for bird habitat enhancement. Native trees and shrubs ensure that fruits and berries are available for your area's bird population.
Birds can be a welcome addition to any setting. The best ornamental plants for improving the habitat of your back yard should be chosen for features that provide food and shelter for birds.
Viburnums are excellent sources of food and shelter for bird habitats.
Viburnums are attractive, versatile, and adaptable shrubs that can be used to improve bird habitat in any landscape. They are suitable for use as hedges or screens, as well as in mixed perennial and shrub borders. They can be used as specimen plants or in groups. They are typically shrubs, but some species can grow into small ornamental trees. They range in size from 2 feet tall by 2 feet wide for the Dwarf American Cranberry to over 15 feet tall for the Siebold.
Viburnums are plants that are interesting all year. In the spring, all Viburnums produce a profusion of white to pink flowers. Their leaves are large, attractive, and frequently textured. Some viburnums have delightfully fragrant flowers that appear in snowball-sized clusters in the spring. Pink buds that develop into white flowers can be found in their flower clusters. Some fruits start out red and eventually turn black. The glossy, dark green leaves turn a burgundy color in the fall. Birds rely heavily on midsummer berries for food. The cranberry viburnum is notable for bearing fruit in the fall but ripening late in the winter. Viburnums have vibrant red to purple foliage. Some viburnums, when properly pruned, can grow into medium-sized trees. Viburnums are excellent as specimen plants or as anchor plants in mixed borders that your birds will enjoy. There is no more versatile group of shrubs for hedges or massing in groups than viburnums, which thrive in all seasons and provide year-round interest. Evergreen viburnums include the Prague viburnum 'Pragense'. Others, like leatherleaf viburnum, are semi-evergreen in colder climates, losing their leaves when temperatures fall below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The majority of viburnums grow in clusters or colonies. These colonies form thickets that are unrivaled as bird cover. I've seen how this has protected birds in our backyard from hawks that couldn't fly into the viburnum shelter where birds hide.
The adaptability of Viburnums is its best feature. While they prefer full sun and well-drained, moderately watered soils, they will grow well in part shade in alkaline, clay soils. They are rarely attacked by diseases or pests. My children have run them over with brush hogs and they have survived. Their fibrous root system facilitates transplantation.
Viburnums have long been popular garden plants, prized for their white, often fragrant spring flowers and stunning fall foliage. However, Asian viburnums have so far taken first place. The Burkwood viburnum (Viburnum x burkwoodii) and the Korean spice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) are two of the most well-known viburnums, filling the air with an enchanting clovelike odor in mid-spring. The doublefile viburnum (V. plicatum f. tomentosum) is also popular for its layered habit, fall foliage, and clusters of red fruits. Acerifolium Viburnum (Maple-leafed viburnum) Although I wouldn't garden without any of these, several of our native viburnums hold a special place in my heart. They may not have the fragrant flowers of their Asian cousins, but I adore them for their brilliant fall foliage color as well as their abundant fruit displays, which attract wildlife to my garden during the fall and winter months. Several are also useful for today's water-conscious gardeners or in difficult urban environments. They only require corrective pruning and are rarely affected by pests or diseases.
Viburnums are classified as wet woodland plants. They can be found in nature along steam banks from Long Island to Florida. When you visit us at 5275 West Swamp Rd., ask us to show you some in their natural habitat that we discovered along our stream bank. Under normal landscape conditions, these plants thrive. I especially like the spring floral display and the viburnums that bear fruit in the fall. Winterthur has beautiful red leaves and loads of fruit in the fall. A cross pollinator, such as viburnum nudum, is required for this cultivar.
Native Americans made arrow shafts out of Viburnum dentatum (arrowwood viburnum). Their stems are long and slender. This plant will thrive in areas where other plants struggle. If you've had trouble growing plants in a harsh environment, try a viburnum.
Viburnums
On our farms, we grow over ten different types of Viburnums, from seedlings to 5' shrubs. If you have poor soil due to construction compacting, try viburnums. Because they are tough and hardy, they excel where other plants fail.
American Cranberry Tree
KoreanSpice
Blackhaw
Arrowwood
Viburnum
Chicago Luster (we have 500 3-6' to sell by September 28th, 2005)
Summer Snowflake Dawn
Shasta
Winterthur
The Blue Muffin
Burkwood
Erie
Tea
Consider one of the many Viburnum family members if you want a good-looking hardy shrub that will attract and feed birds.
Trees and shrubs in the landscape should provide food for birds. Natural food sources are preferred. Try to mimic the native sources of food that native bird populations require. Plants should provide an abundant food supply all year. Native trees and shrubs ensure that fruits and berries are available for your area's bird population.
When choosing plants for bird habitat enhancement, aim for a 20-25% evergreen ratio. Evergreens can be broadleaf, such as holly, or cedar, such as eastern red cedars. Multi-stemmed plants are preferable because they provide more shelter. Following these simple tips will increase your enjoyment of birding. Judd
Korean Seasoning
Praque/sSiebold
