Sweet Viburnum

Sweet Viburnum

Viburnum odoratissimum (also known in trade as Viburnum sinensis), commonly known as Sweet Viburnum, is a fast‑growing, evergreen shrub or small tree valued for its lush, glossy foliage and fragrant floral display. Its dense, upright growth makes it an excellent choice for hedges, screens, and feature plantings in gardens and landscapes.

This plant produces clusters of small, highly fragrant white flowers in spring and early summer, emerging from soft pink buds and attracting bees and other pollinators. The abundant, broad green leaves provide year‑round structure and privacy. Sweet Viburnum is hardy and resilient once established, thriving in full sun to partial shade and adapting well to a variety of garden conditions, making it suitable for Pretoria and Johannesburg environments.

Versatile and ornamental, Viburnum odoratissimum can be used as a formal hedge, informal screen, specimen shrub, or backdrop planting. Its glossy evergreen foliage and fragrant blooms enhance the visual and ecological value of gardens, providing both beauty and function.

Plant Details

• Scientific Name: Viburnum odoratissimum
• Common Name: Sweet Viburnum
• Origin: Asia (including China, Japan, India)
• Flower Colour: White (from pink buds)
• Flowering Time: Spring to early summer
• Height: ±2–4 m (can grow taller if unpruned)
• Spread: ±2–3 m (varies with pruning)
• Growth Habit: Evergreen shrub / small tree

Care & Planting Tips

• Planting Position: Full sun to partial shade for best growth and flowering
• Water Requirements: Medium; water regularly during establishment
• Soil: Well‑drained, fertile soil; adaptable to various soil types
• Hardiness: Hardy; tolerates light frost once established
• Uses: Hedges, privacy screens, specimen shrubs, mixed borders, formal and informal landscapes

Available Sizes

• 10 L
• 20 L