Koreanspice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii)

common name:

Koreanspice Viburnum

scientific name:

Viburnum

carlesii

Cluster of red flower buds on ‘Baby Spice’ Koreanspice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii ‘Baby Spice’) on April 8th, 2026 in eastern Nebraska.

Image Creadit:

Trey Lamkins, Graduate Research Assistant

Koreanspice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) is a highly ornamental deciduous shrub known for its intensely fragrant spring flowers and attractive, rounded growth habit. In early to mid-spring, it produces clusters of deep pink buds that open to soft white flowers, releasing a spicy-sweet fragrance that makes it a standout in the landscape. This species performs best in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soils and is well-suited to Midwestern landscapes, including Nebraska. It is relatively low maintenance once established and exhibits moderate tolerance to clay soils.

Charecteristics

Plant type:

Deciduous shrub

Hardiness Zones:

4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 7

Light Needs:

Part Shade

Water Needs:

Moist

Space Requirements:

6 -12 feet

Height Requirements:

6– 0 feet

Spread Requirements:

5–8 feet

Bloom Color:

White

Bloom Time:

Spring

Leaf Color:

Green

Wildlife Attraction:

Birds

Companion Plant Tolerance:

Deer

Varieties

'Baby Spice'

‘Baby Spice’ is a compact selection of Koreanspice viburnum, typically growing 3–5 feet tall and wide. It retains the highly fragrant, pink-to-white spring blooms of the species while offering a smaller, more manageable size for residential landscapes and foundation plantings. Its dense habit and consistent flowering make it a popular choice for smaller garden spaces.