Tea viburnum is a deciduous shrub that earns its name through an extraordinary late-season fruit display, producing perhaps the most vibrant berry clusters of any viburnum species. This rounded, multi-stemmed shrub grows 8 to 12 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet wide, thriving in hardiness zones 5 through 7. Small white flowers bloom in flat-topped clusters from April to May, followed by brilliant clusters of bright red berries that persist into fall and create a landscape spectacle. It adapts readily to full sun or partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, from well-drained loams to slightly boggy areas, making it a low-maintenance addition to gardens where seasonal color matters.
Partial Sun
Moderate
5-7
144in H x 96in W
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Moderate
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The berries are the star here, offering perhaps the most stunning fall fruit display among all viburnum species. Bright red ovoid berries cluster densely on branches and persist well into the season, creating visual drama long after flowers fade. The plant's low-maintenance nature, combined with its ability to handle everything from moist to drier soils and its appeal to butterflies, rounds out its appeal for gardeners seeking seasonal interest without constant fussing.
Tea viburnum works beautifully as a hedge or screen planting, where its upright-spreading form and multi-stemmed structure create natural density. The showy fruit clusters make it equally valuable as a specimen shrub for fall interest in mixed borders, and its flowers attract butterflies throughout the growing season.
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Prune lightly in fall only if needed for shape or size management. If pruning must be done after flowering, understand that you will sacrifice some of the late-summer berry display. The plant's natural multi-stemmed, rounded form requires minimal intervention; restrain the urge to heavily prune, as this shrub performs best when allowed to develop its spreading habit.
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