1 named cultivar

‘Summer Snowflake’Summer Snowflake Doublefile Viburnum

shrub

Doublefile Viburnum

Viburnum plicatum var tomentosum

The Story

Plant Bio

Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum, doublefile viburnum, is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub from China and Japan, eight to ten feet high and eight to twelve across. Horizontal overlapping branches carry oval serrated leaves two to four inches long, and flat white flower cymes sit along the top of each tier in late spring.

The branching is strictly horizontal, in two ranks per node, and the flowers are held on the upper side — so a plant in flower looks like tiers of white plates stacked in layers, which is what doublefile describes. Autumn brings red to purple foliage and red drupes that darken to black, feeding birds through early winter.

Uses & Benefits:

Tiered horizontal branches lined with flat white flower cymes, then red autumn colour and dark fruit.

Needs almost no pruning and carries a strong architectural line through the whole year.

Flowers draw butterflies, and the fruit is a winter food source for songbirds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

108 inches

Width

120 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

China and Japan

Toxicity

Raw fruit causes stomach upset

Planting

How to Grow

Give it twelve feet of width; the tiers spread wide.
Plant in full sun or partial shade in drained soil.
Water through the first two summers.
Prune as little as possible; cuts spoil the tiers.
Remove only dead or crossing wood, after flowering.
Leave the fruit for the birds.

Pro Tip

Give it the full twelve feet from the start and then leave it alone — pruning a doublefile back destroys the tiered branching that is the whole reason to grow it.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Allow twelve feet of width 📏
Prune as little as possible ✂️
Water through establishment 💧
Leave the fruit for birds 🐦

Don't

Shear or reduce it ❌
Plant it in a narrow bed ❌
Prune before flowering ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Enjoy
Inspect

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Specimen shrub in a lawn or woodland edgeAsian-style and layered plantingInformal screen with strong horizontal lines

Companion Plants

Japanese Maple Hydrangea HostaJapanese Painted Fern Epimedium

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Doublefile Viburnum questions

What zones can Doublefile Viburnum grow in?

Doublefile Viburnum is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Doublefile Viburnum deer resistant?

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

When does Doublefile Viburnum bloom?

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

Does Doublefile Viburnum need full sun?

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