shrub

Nantucket Viburnum

Viburnum 'Nantucket'

The Story

Plant Bio

Viburnums are a diverse group of shrubs known for their attractive flowers, foliage, and often colorful fruit. They are versatile and widely used in landscape design for their multi-season appeal.

'Nantucket' is a U.S. National Arboretum introduction noted for its large, rounded clusters of fragrant white flowers and handsome, glossy, dark green foliage that turns an attractive red-purple in fall.

Uses & Benefits:

'Nantucket' is a superb ornamental shrub, offering large, fragrant white flower clusters in late spring. Its handsome, leathery dark green leaves provide a clean look all summer before turning a beautiful reddish-purple in the fall.

Its dense, rounded habit makes it an excellent choice for creating a living privacy screen or an informal hedge. It is large enough to anchor a foundation planting or stand alone as a specimen.

The flowers are a rich source of nectar and pollen for a wide variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. If berries are produced, they offer a food source for birds in the fall.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

120 inches

Width

120 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Medium

Humidity

Adaptable

Lifespan

Long-lived shrub

Native To

Hybrid origin

Toxicity

Berries are mildly toxic if ingested in large quantities.

Bloom period

Late spring – Early summer

In flower about 2 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Choose a site with full sun or light shade and well-drained soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball.
Place the shrub in the hole, with the root flare at soil level.
Backfill with soil and water deeply to settle.
Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch to conserve moisture.
Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots.

Pro Tip

Prune immediately after flowering to shape the shrub and avoid removing next year's flower buds, which form in summer.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.
Water during extended dry spells to prevent stress.
Prune right after blooming to maintain a desirable size and shape.

Don't

Do not plant in poorly drained or constantly wet soil.
Avoid overhead watering, which can encourage fungal leaf spots.
Do not prune in late summer, fall, or winter, as this will remove flower buds.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Fragrant flowering hedge or screenAnchor plant in a mixed borderSpecimen shrub for foundation plantings

Companion Plants

Hydrangea paniculata Weigela florida Spiraea japonica Paeonia Hemerocallis

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Nantucket Viburnum questions

What zones can Nantucket Viburnum grow in?

Nantucket Viburnum is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Nantucket Viburnum deer resistant?

Yes — Nantucket Viburnum is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Nantucket Viburnum bloom?

Nantucket Viburnum typically blooms in late spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Nantucket Viburnum need full sun?

Nantucket Viburnum does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.