White Flowering Shrub/small tree ID help please!

10 years ago

So this shrub/tree is growing right in a corner of my yard, and is unfortunately overgrowing my deck now. It's probably a good 8-9' tall right now. It was there when I moved there, but I am new to gardening and haven't kept it pruned back at all. It's just gotten TOO huge. I'm trying to identify this so I can look up best practices specific to this shrub so I can keep it reasonably sized. It only blooms in the round clusters for a couple weeks in early spring if that helps any. I'm pretty much revamping my entire back yard garden right now (overgrown with canadian thistle and morning glory ugh - but after 2 years it's at an almost manageable level finally). Any ideas on this plant? Thanks in advance!

Comments (4)

NHBabs z4b-5a NH
10 years ago
It looks like a viburnum, perhaps carlesii or Burkwood, both of which bloom in relatively early spring with strongly scented blossoms. Do the leaves come in opposite pairs on the stem?
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
need to see the leaves..

google REJUVENATION PRUNING OF FLOWERING SHRUBS ...

i just whacked 60% of my mohawk V last week ...

it was confused as to who is in charge around here ...

i used the sawzall.. and cut every branch greater than 3/4 of an inch.. as close to the ground as possible.. between 3 and 6 inches .... and now i can get that spigot w/o poking an eye out ...

if it has a weak bloom next season.. so be it.. i was PO'd ...

ken

ps: me and the sawzall are in charge.. in case you are wondering ...
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enpea
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks! I'll have to do the rejuvenation pruning...it's so overgrown, it's just too much! Here is a picture of the shrub today so you can see the leaves. Thanks!!!
mulchmama
10 years ago
NO! Do not do a rejuvenation to any Viburnum!! Michael Dirr, who wrote the book on them and who has developed many of them, recommends infrequent and light pruning of Viburnums, if any at all. This is my favorite shrub. I have at least two dozen and about 8 different cultivars.

I believe the one you have is a Burkwood, but it could also be Judd. Either way, it's gorgeous, pretty much pest- and maintence free, and you should definitely NOT coppice it. You do that to a Rose of Sharon or a lilac, but never to a Viburnum.

Here is a link that might be useful: Michael Dirr's Viburnum for American Gardens