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THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA 
THE VIBURNUMS 
*TMIK viburnums rank high among shrubs or small 
trees in ornamental planting for both private and 
public places. They make all grounds beautiful in 
summer with their flowers and foliage, in autumn and 
winter their fruit is attractive and excellent food for the 
birds. They are hardy, easily handled, and soon respon- 
sive. Many are natives, and so are suited to our soil and 
conditions. Their cultural requirements are not difficult, 
thev need good soil with plenty of humus, and do not ob- 
ject, in some species, to ill-drained land. Little care is 
needed in pruning, not much more than the removal of 
some odd stems in aged plants, and they can be cut level 
with the ground if the necessity arises where plants are 
old or misshapen. If this is done in March and April, 
and some of the weaker growth removed, they replace 
themselves in a short time. There are few insects which 
trouble them, and they are almost free from fungous 
attacks. 
Propagation is mainly from seeds, and, although the 
first year's growth is small, afterward it is satisfactory. 
Some trouble arises, because, while two seasons are gen- 
erally required for germination, sometimes the seeds 
come up in one. It is suggested that the fruit be gathered 
early, before it is ripe, as shown by its color, and that it 
should at once be stratified with two or three times its 
bulk of sifted sand. The mixture should be kept cool and 
moist ; there is no better way than to bury it, guarding 
against vermin, and clean it when ready to sow, either in 
January or February for planting under glass, or in April 
for planting in frames or seed-beds. If germination does 
not occur the first year, the boxes can be kept under ob- 
servation ; in the open air a covering of pine needles 4 
to 5 inches thick, easily removed, will keep down weeds 
and keep in moisture, always important. If the seedlings 
appear in late summer, a covering of pine needles will 
protect them from frost. Other methods of propagation 
are given below where necessary. 
The flowers are white, of different degrees of purity. 
It is the fertile and small ones which make the bulk of the 
cyme, but also in some species there are sterile or rav 
flowers, much larger and placed on the outer edge ; in at 
least two varieties, the snowballs, the ray flowers alone 
are present. There is great difference in the fruit in color 
and size, some producing berries as small as bird-shot, 
others as large as a pea, while the colors include red, slatv 
blue, and deep purple, almost black ; in one species there 
are green, pink, and purple fruits at the same time. 
The following are kinds which, with a few exceptions, 
are in general cultivation : 
V. accrifolium, the Dockmackie, is a native shrub, 4 to 5 feet 
high, and excellent for planting under large trees ; it is very 
resistant to shade and the encroachment of established roots. 
It is not, however, either in fruit or flower, equal to many other 
species ; the foliage is fair and sometimes takes on good autumn 
coloring. 
V. alnifoliutn, the Hobble Bush, or moose-wood, better known 
perhaps as V. lantanoides, is another native shrub, a bush 10 feet 
in height, with large leaves and early bloom ; the ray flowers are 
a pure white and striking ; the waxy red fruit is very handsome. 
Altogether a taking plant, but unfortunately not in cultivation, 
as all efforts to grow it either from seeds or from natural layers 
hitherto have been failures. 
V. cassinoides, the Withe Rod, is also a native; a symmetrical 
shrub 6 to 8 feet high, and wonderfully improved by cultivation. 
The foliage is bright and shiny, almost coriaceous, and the 
flowers are plenty and good. Tt is the fruit, however, which is 
most taking. It comes in August and September, lasting for a 
month. Green, pink or reddish and dark purple berries are seen 
together in the clusters, and are so handsome that they are gath- 
ered like flowers. It is one of our best shrubs ; a little slow, 
perhaps, to establish. 
V. dentatum, Arrow-wood, is another excellent native shrub, 
10 feet or more high. The foliage is good, and so is the fruit, a 
small, dark slaty blue berry in copious clusters. This plant does 
not object to ill-drained land. It is found on the borders of 
swamps and sometimes the roots are under water for long- 
periods. It is not so good, however, as V. venosum, which it 
resembles. 
V. dilatation is a Japanese species, a hardy shrub 8 to 10 feet 
high, with the usual" white flowers and small bright red fruit in 
autumn, quite different from the others. The foliage is dark 
green, somewhat rugose, giving a pleasing appearance to the 
plant, quite unlike other viburnums. It is not so commonly grown 
as most sorts. 
V. Lantana, the Wayfaring Tree, is a European shrub or 
small tree, 12 to IS feet high, and perhaps more often planted 
than any other viburnum. It has long been in cultivation, and 
is hardy, tough and inexpensive. A taking plant with good, 
somewhat downy foliage, and plenty of flowers and fruit, — 
purple berries which, however, disappear early. 
V. Lent ago, Sheepberry, is a native, a large bush or small tree 
IS to 20 feet or more in height, with bright leaves, plenty of 
flowers, and large purple fruit wdiich is very attractive in autumn. 
One of our best shrubs where a thick and tall growth is desired. 
Like V. dentatum. it does not object to moist soil, and is often 
found by brooks or ponds in swampy land. 
V . macrocephalum is a Chinese variety, a shrub 10 feet or more 
high, and is sometimes planted ; it makes a good specimen plant, 
foliage and flowers are both attractive. It should be given a 
sheltered place as it is not any too hardy. 
V. Opulus is the Tree or Bush Cranberry found in our northern 
woods and in Europe and Asia. Three species are now described 
by botanists, but practically they are all the same to the planter. 
It is the European plant which is, and has been for many years, 
in common cultivation, and from it the Snowball, or Guelder 
rose, has been obtained. It is a tall shrub 12 to 15 feet high, 
with numerous white flowers, the ray or sterile flowers well 
developed, and quantities of large red fruits in autumn ; these, 
however, are not waxy but soft and, although they last during 
the winter, they lose their freshness after severe frost. They 
are sometimes used in various ways in cooking, but always have 
a bitter taste; it is said that birds do not eat them. The fruit 
also has an unpleasant odor when decaying, and therefore it 
should not be planted too near the house ; otherwise it can be 
used wherever a large shrub is required, and will keep in good 
condition a long time. It is easily renewed, as described below. 
V. Opulus var. sterile is the common showy and well-known 
Snowball. The flower-cluster is made up of ray flowers only. 
It is propagated by layers (the old mound-layering can be used), 
by hardwood cuttings sparingly, and sometimes by division. It 
is attacked by aphides at times, which cause leaf-curl. The cure 
is a spray of tobacco soap, or, if bad (and this happens in old 
plants), cut level with the ground in March or April, thinning out 
the new growths when they appear ; the plant will be renewed 
and bloom the second or third year. 
V. Opulus var. nana is a curious dwarf form, 2 to 3 feet high 
or less, of compact growth, to be planted, not in shrubberies, but 
in a garden where a formal effect is wished. It seldom, if ever, 
blooms, and can be propagated by division easily. 
V. plicatum. See I', tomentosum. 
V. prunifolium, the Black Hawk, is a native shrub or small tree, 
15 feet or more tall, and with a tree-like aspect. The foliage is 
bright and the flowers are a much purer white than in other 
species, like the tender V. Tinus {Laurustinus) . The purple fruit 
is good but not so abundant. Give this plant plenty of space and 
treat more as a tree than as a shrub 
V. pubescens is a native shrub. 5 feet high, not often planted. 
It makes a pleasing variety and is rather graceful when well 
grown. 
V. Sieboldii is a Japanese species, 8 to 10 feet high, with good 
foliage and flowers. It seems hardy, and is perhaps better used 
as a specimen than in shrubberies. It is not common in cultiva- 
tion. 
V. tomentosum is from Japan, and of comparatively recent 
introduction. It is a shrub, 6 feet or more in height, with spread- 
ing branches and good foliage, which colors nicely in autumn in 
favorable seasons. The ray flowers here are conspicuous, an 
excellent white, and abundant. The combination of flowers and 
foliage is unsurpassed. 
V. tomentosum var. plicatum (sterile) is the Japanese Snowball, 
some time in cultivation before the type was introduced. The 
best and hardiest form (several are obtainable) is a shrub 10 to 
12 feet high, with clusters of pure white flowers, all ray or sterile, 
and much like the common or Chinese snowball ; it is a question 
hard to decide which of the two is the better. The foliage is 
dark green and admirable, particularly in autumn, when it is a 
good purple shaded with orange. Plant in good soil and a 
sheltered place either as a specimen or in a clump. The propa- 
gation of this and the type is by means of cuttings of hardened 
wood growing in a greenhouse, June and July, and is not difficult. 
— From Landscape Architecture. 
