Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Viburnum japonicum (Thunb.) Spreng.

Fully hardy, rounded, evergreen shrub with stout shoots, ovate, glossy, sparsely-toothed leaves, to 15cm long, and spherical cymes, to 10cm across, of small, tubular, fragrant white flowers in summer, followed by bright red fruit.  To 2m.  [RHSE, Hortus, Hilliers’].

Horticultural & Botanical History

According to Hilliers’ Manual introduced to Europe 1879 but this seems to be in error unless Macarthur’s Viburnum Japonicum is incorrectly identified.  Viburnum japonica is mentioned in The Journal of Horticulture, Cottage Gardener and Country Gentlemen in 1868 with no details [p.243/1868], but this is the earliest reference I have found to it as a garden plant elsewhere.

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [T.989/1843].

Notes

Published Jul 09, 2009 - 04:47 PM | Last updated Jul 16, 2010 - 02:13 PM

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Family Caprifoliaceae
Category
Region of origin

Japan
Synonyms
  • Viburnum macrophyllum Thunb.
  • Viburnum buergeri Miq.
  • Cornus japonica Thunb.
Common Name

Japanese viburnum
Name in the Camden Park Record

Viburnum Japonicum 
Confidence level medium