Viburnums in general are some of my favorite shrubs in the landscape. And the Doublefile Viburnums are a particular favorite. This is Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum “Mariesii’. In late spring flat white flowers cover the horizontal branches. In summer, bright red berries emerge and are usually quickly gobbled up by the birds. In autumn, the leaves are a dependable reddish purple. And in winter it has a very handsome horizontal branching structure. Dr. Michael Dirr describes Doublefile Viburnums as “possibly the most elegant of flowering shrubs” and when in bloom is “without equal”. Such a great plant – I have found the foliage looks great even through a hot, dry summer, very winter hardy, flowers are magnificent, fairly fast grower, and I have never witnessed any disease or pest problem. In upstate New York it would be the perfect Mother’s day gift as it always blooms after the actual holiday and can be fully enjoyed even in the first year.
