Viburnum davidii Angustifolium

Viburnum davidii 'Angustifolium' is a variety of Viburnum Davidii with a compact habit and small foliage, well-suited to small gardens and container growing. Forming a thick ground cover cushion, the branches are covered with glossy green evergreen foliage perfectly enhanced by the red hues of the petioles and young shoots. The spring flowers, of limited ornamental value, are slightly fragrant and give way to clusters of black to blue fruits with red peduncles. The overall creates a beautiful colourful effect throughout winter. This Viburnum is undoubtedly one of the prettiest ground covers, especially in shade. Provide it with a well-drained soil, preferably non-calcareous and kept moist.

Native to Asia and western China, the Viburnum Davidii, also known as cushion Viburnum, is a dwarf shrub with horizontally spreading branches. This plant, formerly classified among the caprifoliaceae, now belongs to the adoxaceae, just like elderberries. It is a dioecious species, composed of male or female subjects, only the latter will bear fruit in the presence of male plants. The 'Angustifolium' cultivar differs from the species by its small leaves and compact habit. The slow-growing shrub gradually forms a dome of 80 cm in height by 1 m 20 in spread, spreading up to 1 m 80 depending on the space available. The evergreen foliage is perhaps the main asset of this Viburnum: its leathery, oval leaves, a beautiful dark green with a glossy finish, show three veins converging on a red petiole. The unattractive flowering, from April to May depending on the climate, consists of flat white clusters 5 to 7 centimetres in diameter arranged at the end of the branches. The subsequent fruiting is quite unique and will persist on the branches at least until October. The small steel blue fruits are not edible. The bark of this shrub is yellowish-grey.

The hardiness of Viburnum Davidii 'Angustifolium' (- 15°C maximum) does not allow it to be planted in our most continental regions, in the Northeast of France. Elsewhere, it thrives in shade or partial shade although it tolerates sunlight, preferring rather acidic or sandy soils like camellias and rhododendrons. Multiple shrubs need to be planted for fruiting to occur. Use it as a specimen plant or in a mass planting; its foliage, with a strong presence, enhances the accompanying blooms. It can be paired, for example, with Japanese spindle trees, hydrangeas, variegated dogwoods, andromedas, or Japanese maples that appreciate similar settings. This variety adapts very well to container growing to adorn the terrace or balcony.