PLANT SPOTLIGHT: Viburnums & Katsura

Katsura – This understory tree typically grows to about 40 feet tall with a dense, round habit. Leaves emerge reddish purple in Spring and mature to a medium green in Summer, similar in shape to a red bud.

The leaves turn various shades of orange, red and gold in the Fall. When crushed, they’ll  give off a slightly sweet fragrance similar to that of maple syrup.

Viburnum – This flowering shrub features many different flower colors and leaf textures.  Some varieties have fragrant Spring flowers, while others offer interesting fruit color in the summer and into fall.  Most Viburnum turn a burgundy red/purple color in the fall. 

Plant Viburnums in mass as a privacy hedge or as a single specimen plant.  They tolerate a fair amount of shade.