Species

Viburnum obovatumWalter's Viburnum

2 other cultivars

shrubN. America Native

Select Walter's Viburnum

Viburnum obovatum 'Select Walter'S'

Same species

Species

Viburnum obovatumWalter's Viburnum

2 other cultivars

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

132 inches

Width

108 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low to medium

Humidity

Tolerates high humidity

Lifespan

Long-lived shrub

Native To

Southeastern United States

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Walter's Viburnum (Viburnum obovatum) is a durable, small-leaved evergreen shrub native to the southeastern U.S., prized for its adaptability and cloud of white flowers in spring. 'Select' is a cultivar chosen for its more upright, vase-shaped growth habit compared to the species. It grows taller and more open than dwarf varieties, making it an excellent choice for screening or taller hedges.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

A handsome, upright evergreen shrub that is covered in a haze of white flowers in spring. Its fine texture and clean habit provide year-round structure.

Its dense, upright growth makes it an ideal choice for creating privacy screens or tall, informal hedges in both residential and commercial landscapes.

Provides important early-season nectar for pollinators and its fruit feeds birds. Its dense branches offer cover and nesting sites for wildlife.

Planting

How to Grow

Choose a site in sun or shade with any well-drained soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball.
Position the plant so its crown is at soil level.
Backfill, water well, and add a layer of mulch.
Water regularly for the first season to establish.
It is very drought tolerant once established.

Pro Tip

Can be trained into a small, multi-stemmed tree by removing lower branches to reveal its attractive structure.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Use its upright habit for screening purposes.
Prune after spring flowering to control size.
Allow it to grow naturally for a more informal look.

Don't

Don't overwater once established.
Avoid planting in poorly drained, boggy sites.
Don't shear into a tight box; it ruins its graceful form.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Tough evergreen privacy screenUpright specimen for narrow spacesUntrimmed naturalistic hedge

Companion Plants

Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' Sabal minor Myrica cerifera Camellia sasanqua Illicium parviflorum

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Select Walter's Viburnum questions

What zones can Select Walter's Viburnum grow in?

Select Walter's 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 Select Walter's Viburnum deer resistant?

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

When does Select Walter's Viburnum bloom?

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

Does Select Walter's Viburnum need full sun?

Select Walter's Viburnum does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Select Walter's Viburnum drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Select Walter's Viburnum handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.