Although I found pictures, I couldn't find much information on fruit set. Does Onondaga set fruit well by itself? If not what would be the pollinator for it? I am thinking of getting two to plant side by side but if it needs a pollinator I can get one Onondaga and one something else.

I looked in my fairweather gardens catalog and Onondaga was the only V. sargentii they had so I am wondering.

Also, this year I got fruit set on my "Shasta" for the first time. I happened to have a "Mariesii" in a pot nearby, which must have done the trick. Worthwhile too, for the stalks and berries on the "Shasta," were bright red and beautiful, albeit short-lived.

Scott

Kevin- I have not seen any other Cultivar of V. sargentii except 'Onondaga' so another sargentii clone might be difficult to get.

I've written before about my disappointment with the lack of fruit on my viburnum nudum 'Winterthur' and got suggestions from here to get a Viburnum cassionoides. I'm hoping it will do the trick within a couple of years.

I DID have fruit this year on my Mariesii viburnum and another no-name doublefile that I got at a local nursery. The fruit was/is very striking---small red berries on short little stalks down the length of the limbs that flowered (only a couple of limbs flowered on each of the two bushes--perhaps too young...) Some are turning black now. Very impressive...I hope that it will be covered in blooms in future years...

Now I'm wondering whether I should have had fruit set on the Chenaultii and the Mohawk...

Look closely, and you might see a few. These two set fruit very sparsely. Keep a watch on your new V. cassinoides to see if it blooms at the same time as Winterthur. Mine don't overlap at all unfortunately. Your V. cassinoides may differ though. Another V. nudum thrown in just to make sure wouldn't hurt a thing!

Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7
Height: 12 ft Spread: 12 ft Form: oval
Type: deciduous shrub
Annual Growth Rate: 12 to 18 inches
Flowers: white flowers
Fruits: red

Comments: Sargent Viburnum is a large, oval shrub. The
white flowers are borne in flat clusters in late May. The
outer flowers are sterile, large and showy; inner flowers
are smaller. The fall color and fruits are red (Vis. 4).

Cultivars:
'Onondaga' - A vigorous shrub (Vis. 1) producing many
flat clusters of white flowers (Vis. 2) followed by red
fruits (Vis. 3). The plant has a height and spread of
6 feet.
'Susquehanna' - A large shrub providing profuse
displays of red fruit in late summer. The white
flowers are borne in flat clusters.

References for Cultivars: Spring Meadow Nursery 1999, Bailey
Nurseries 1999, Lake County Nursery 1999, Sheridan Nurseries
1997, Studebaker Nurseries 1999, Wayside Gardens 1999,
Scarff's Nursery 1999, Gee Farms 1999, Carlton Plants 1999.

'Onondaga' - This U.S. National Arboretum introduction is the most popular form of the species in commerce. It is very unique in flower for a Viburnum, as the flat-topped flower clusters feature an outer ring of large sterile, white blooms. Most spectacular, however, is the central mass of small fertile flowers that are dull pink-maroon in color. The contrast between the large white florets and small pink buds/flowers makes for a unique appearance. The young foliage also emerges with a reddish overcast that remains slightly on older foliage. The plant is large and rounded to 8' tall.

'Susquehanna' - Another U.S. National Arboretum cultivar, this plant represents a selection of the species that is most notable for its heavy flower and fruit production. Other features are similar to the straight species.

I also found this lovely picture of a Viburnum sargentii even the website is not in English, the picture is fabulous!!

Evanston- What other Viburnums do you have in your yard or area that could be doing the pollination?

Mine has had a strange growth pattern. Unfortunately, my husband unintentionally took off a branch it when it was smaller (he got a little too close with the lawn tractor and trailer). After that, it decided to grow straight upward and is over 6' tall but only about 3' wide. It has rewarded us well in the springtime with its burgundy foliage and the lovely flower buds and flowers. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys interesting colors and textures in the yard. I looking forward to it filling out and I know that I could have pinched the stems and gotten more branching, but I thought it was better to let it and nature work on the form for now.

I look forward to next year with my viburnums in the yard. This fall I added to the dozen or so that I already have by going to the 'on sale' area of an excellent nursery about 50 miles north of us. I bought a Wentworth v. trilobum (my first of that ilk--I DO hope that it will fruit for me...otherwise, I may be on the lookout for more...), a Viburnum bracteatum ‘Emerald Luster’, a couple of v. juddii, a Viburnum x rhytidophylloides 'Willowwood', 4 more Viburnum x rhytidophylloides and a Viburnum carlesii 'Aurora'. They are all in the ground and hopefully settling in well in their new homes.

Kevin is the guy to ask about what all the viburnum fruits taste like, esp. the northerly species. He's done the yuck testing. I don't have any luck with V. trilobum and its ilk here in KY, but I'm still trying (but haven't had the fruit to taste yet). I can only vouch for V. dilatatum fruit, which is tart but tasty in its large clusters in December.

Kevin_5 or VV should be able to help you. They are the GW Viburnum gurus.
Thanks,
Mike

It barely looked like a virburnum... it had a very delicate look and gorgeous tinted foliage and those flowers...like a lacecap hydrangea... Maybe I need to get 3....

Any special siting requirements to get that gorgeous tinted foliage (which I assume is only a spring thing)?

V. sargentii is most similar to V. trilobum and V. opulus, so cultivars/clones of those two species (or another different clone of V. sargentii) would be your most appropriate choice.

Blue Muffin and Red Feather are good partners to give you heavy fruiting on your V. dentatum.

And/or did you just dispense with the idea of procuring a V. sargentii 'Onondaga'?

There are more clones out there to be had. In fact, despite the generally poor performance of this group in the humid high soil temperature south, I now have both V. s. 'Chiquita' and V. s. 'Flavum' ensconced in the Viburnum Valley collection. I thought I had 'Onondaga', but it turned out to be a mislabeled member of the V. dilatatum clan, probably 'Oneida'. I expect to get 'Onondaga', 'Susquehanna', and 'Calvescens' in the future, to round out the collection. I have V. trilobum Redwing now also, to add to the intrigue.

God willing and the bunnies don't rise, I'll have blooming plants in the spring.

I am going to have to bite the bullet this winter and order from Forest Farm if Fairweather doesn't have the Viburnums that I still need (including this one).

best,
mindy

If you have 'Onondaga', then 'Chiquita' is a good partner.