Viburnum davidi
Viburnum davidi · Viburnaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around viburnum davidi and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Viburnum davidi
- Family
- Viburnaceae
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- May to June, white flowers in corymbs
- Fruits
- Metallic blue berries in autumn
- Mature size
- 1.5 m tall × 1.2 to 1.5 m wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6-8 (-15 to -10 °C)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Viburnum davidi flowers and fruits better in groups (cross-pollination). Plant 2-3 together for stunning dark blue-black berries in winter.
The common mistake
A single plant left alone stays sterile.
The pro's trick
Air layering is super effective: viburnum roots in 1-2 months on a branch pegged down in soil.
Care
Light exposure
Plant your David viburnum in semi-shaded or sunny conditions, with at least a few hours of direct sunlight daily. Excessive shade reduces flowering and fruiting. It tolerates various situations well and adapts nicely to urban gardens.
Watering
Water regularly, especially during the first year after planting, to keep the soil lightly moist. Once established, viburnum tolerates moderate dry spells, but weekly watering during prolonged drought promotes flowering. Avoid standing water, which causes root suffocation.
Soil
This viburnum prefers well-drained soil, slightly acidic to neutral, enriched with organic matter. Adding compost at planting time improves soil structure and fertility. It adapts to most garden soils, except overly chalky or poorly drained terrain.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring when growth begins. An annual application of compost or organic matter is usually sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pruning and structure
Prune lightly after flowering (June-July) to maintain a compact shape and stimulate branching. Remove dead wood or diseased branches in spring. Severe pruning is generally unnecessary; this viburnum naturally maintains an elegant, dense form.
Diseases and pests
David viburnum is globally robust. Watch for powdery mildew in humid, poorly ventilated situations: promote good air circulation. Scales and aphids may occasionally colonize it; spraying the foliage with clear water often suffices. Root rot only occurs with chronic waterlogging.
Did you know?
David viburnum is named after French botanist Armand David, an explorer of East Asian regions in the 19th century. It is one of the rare viburnum species to produce berries of such a deep metallic blue that they seem almost black—a characteristic that makes it an ornamental marvel in autumn and a food source for birds.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Guelder roseViburnum opulus
- Wayfaring treeViburnum lantana
- LaurustinusViburnum tinus
- Sambucus canadensisSambucus canadensis
- Japanese snowballViburnum plicatum
- PossumhawViburnum nudum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.