Viburnum carlesii 2gal Korean Spice Viburnum
Best fragrant shrub for gardeners seeking multi-season landscape interest.
The Korean Spice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) is a deciduous shrub celebrated for its intensely fragrant spring blooms. Delicate pink buds unfurl into clusters of white flowers, releasing a delightful aroma. This versatile shrub offers multi-season interest, producing blue-black berry-like drupes in late summer and vibrant wine-red to burgundy fall foliage. Growing to a manageable 4-6 feet tall and wide, it thrives in partial shade to full sun, making it an excellent addition to various garden settings.
$89.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
858
/ 2598
#858 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
+128%
Above average
Container Size
2
/ Gallon
Who it's for
- Urban gardeners needing low-maintenance plants for small, compact spaces
- Gardeners seeking a highly fragrant, sensory-rich spring landscape
- Homeowners wanting year-round visual appeal and seasonal color transitions
Who should skip it
- Impatient landscapers looking for rapid, immediate growth results
- Busy gardeners unable to monitor for potential pest infestations
- Designers prioritizing long-lasting floral displays throughout the spring season
Performance breakdown
Fragrance Intensity
Renowned for one of the most potent, delightful scents in spring.
Seasonal Versatility
Provides year-round visual interest from spring blooms to autumn foliage.
Hardiness Range
Robust adaptability across a wide spectrum of USDA climate zones.
Landscape Flexibility
Compact mounding habit fits perfectly into smaller gardens or containers.
Sunlight Tolerance
Thrives reliably in both partial shade and full sun conditions.
Maintenance Ease
Low-fuss deciduous shrub requiring minimal intervention for healthy growth.
Key Specs
Container Size
2 Gallon
Mature Height
6 ft
Mature Spread
6 ft
Hardiness Zones
4-8
Botanical Name
Viburnum carlesii
Sun Exposure
Part shade to full sun
Bloom Season
Spring
Foliage Type
Deciduous
Features
- Intensely fragrant white spring flowers
- Attractive blue-black berries in late summer
- Vibrant fall foliage color
- Deciduous shrub habit
- Adaptable to sun or partial shade
- Mounding plant form
- Container friendly
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the Korean Spice Viburnum for its exceptional quality and reliable performance. Plants consistently arrive healthy, often surpassing expectations for shipped nursery stock. The standout feature is the intense, sweet fragrance, which buyers confirm is reliably produced, significantly enhancing garden spaces. While initial size may vary relative to the container, overall satisfaction remains extremely high due to the plant's vigor and eventual bloom quality. This reliable, fragrant beauty has quickly become a garden favorite.
Know before you buy
This shrub is highly regarded for its intense, sweet fragrance. A single plant in bloom can scent an entire patio or garden area during the spring.
No, the Korean Spice Viburnum is a deciduous shrub. It will lose its leaves in the winter after displaying vibrant wine-red to burgundy fall foliage.
Yes, this variety is container-friendly. Ensure your pot has adequate drainage and is large enough to accommodate the shrub as it matures toward its 6-foot size.
It performs best in well-drained soil. Avoid planting it in areas that remain consistently waterlogged, as this can lead to root issues.
While it thrives in full sun, it is quite adaptable and will bloom reliably in partial shade. It is a versatile choice for various light conditions in your landscape.
The blue-black drupes are primarily ornamental and are intended to provide food for birds in late summer. They are not considered a culinary fruit for humans.
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