Koreanspice Viburnum (Viburnum Carlesii) Grow & Care Guide

Koreanspice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) prefers sun over partial shade and wet, well-drained soils, including clays. Koreanspice Viburnum has a rounded, irregular dense form with stiff upright branches. The flowers of Koreanspice Viburnum are gorgeous and fragrant. Koreanspice Viburnum blooms on old wood, so prune immediately after flowering is complete. Viburnum carlesii is used as a hedge, shrub boundary or foundation plant. Very fragrant flowers appear in mid to late spring. The Koreanspice Viburnum color in autumn is purplish red, but inconsistent.

Where to Grow Koreanspice Viburnum

Viburnum carlesii grow best in full to partial sun, though a few will thrive in full shade. Check the plant tag when you purchase to make sure your planned location offers the right amount of light. Knowing the eventual size of your viburnum is also important when deciding where to plant, as it will need plenty of space to grow without requiring constant pruning.

When to Grow Koreanspice Viburnum

Plant viburnum carlesii in the spring or early fall. As long as they have the chance to establish good root systems before temperatures either get really hot or freezing cold, they'll be fine.

How to Grow Koreanspice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii)

Koreanspice Viburnum Propagation with Cuttings

Softwood cuttings will give you the best success rate when trying to propagate Viburnum carlesii and cuttings are taken in spring from the new growth. Cuttings will root quickly and be ready for potting on into larger pots in mid-summer, if not over-winter until the following season.
Take a cutting from the newest fresh growth around 4 inch (10cm) long, remove the lower leaves and take a fresh cut just below the node (where the leaves are). This is where the new roots should shoot, pinch the top out and dip in rooting powder to help promote root growth. Make a hole in the compost which should be 50% seed compost and 50% grit sand and insert the cutting. Tap the sides to settle the compost and water well. Ideally you want to place in a propagator with bottom heat. Softwood cuttings root quickly so it should not be too long before they are ready to pot on.

How to Care for Koreanspice Viburnum (Viburnum Carlesii)

Koreanspice Viburnum Lighting

In terms of light & exposure, the Korean Spice Viburnum requires partial to full sun in order for it to thrive under the right conditions. Most experts agree that this shrub will do well as long as you keep it in partial to full sun, and it will be able to grow properly. Specifically, we recommend that you place your Viburnum Carlesii in little to partial shade (only 2-6 hours of direct sunlight a day), to full and direct sun (more 6 hours of direct sunlight per day).

Koreanspice Viburnum Soil Care

These bushes grow best in the moist but well-drained ground with slightly acidic a soil pH. They do not do well in very wet soil.

Koreanspice Viburnum Watering

When you first plant viburnums, water every 1 or 2 days, whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Hold the hose near the root ball and make sure the root zone is thoroughly soaked at each watering. You’ll be able to gradually increase the days between watering as the plants establish roots. Once viburnums have been in the ground for a year, they’ll mainly need extra water if your area has gone without rain for 3 to 4 weeks. Keep an eye on the plants during such dry spells. If the leaves look droopy or have a greyish cast to them, water them until regular precipitation returns.

Koreanspice Viburnum Temperature & Humidity Care

Viburnums are generally tolerant of high heat but do best with some shade during the hottest periods of summer. They prefer humid climates, but will tolerate dry conditions.

Koreanspice Viburnum Fertilizer

Feed the shrub with a general-purpose fertilizer, according to product directions, before it begins putting out new growth in the spring. Check the product's label for the amount of nitrogen; shrubs can receive 2 to 4 pounds of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet of root spread annually.

Koreanspice Viburnum Pruning

Control the shape and size of mature shrubs by heading back stems to a leaf junction, pruning to achieve a pleasing shape after the plant has flowered. Perform only minor pruning on young plants to keep them looking neat by removing the finished flowers, snipping them off with sharp pruning shears.

Koreanspice Viburnum Pests & Diseases Care

One problem you may encounter when taking care of this plant is the curly leaves at the tips of the branches. The most likely culprit is aphids. If you manage to catch them at the event, spray them with organic neem oil. But the aphids come and go quickly, leaving behind a damaged leaf. Fortunately, leaf rolling doesn't cause long-term damage if it's limited to a small part of the entire plant. It is problematic only on an aesthetic level, ruining the appearance of the leaves in summer and fall. Prune the tips of the affected branches and dispose of them properly, and the plant will not be worse off as a result.

Koreanspice Viburnum Varieties

Several varieties of Korean spice viburnum are available, some of which are cultivars, others that are crosses between V.carlesiii and other species:
Koreanspice Viburnum 'Aurora' is a slower-growing rounded shrub that generally stays around 4 to 5 feet in height.
Koreanspice Viburnum‘Compactum’ is a smaller variety of korean spice viburnum that grows 2 1/2 to 4 feet tall and wide with flowers colored the same as the pure species, white.
Koreanspice Viburnum 'Spice Bouquet' is a 4 to 6-foot shrub with soft pink flowers that fade to white.
Koreanspice Viburnum 'Spice Island' is 3 to 5 feet tall with white flowers, and dark green leaves with good red fall color.
Koreanspice Viburnum 'Sugar N' Spice' is 4 to 5 feet high with dark green leaves that turn maroon-red in fall.
Viburnum × carlcephalum is a cross between V. carlesii and V. macrocephalum var. keteleeri. It has large snow-ball-like flowers, and is hardy in zones 6 to 8. It grows 6 to 10 feet tall.
Viburnum x burkwoodii (Burkwood vibernum) is a cross between V. utile and V. carlesii. It is a broad, dense shrub reaching 8 to 10 feet, with flat-topped white flowers blooming in April.

Koreanspice Viburnum Care FAQ

How big does a Korean spice viburnum get?

4 to 8 feet high
Size & Form: A rounded, dense shrub with stiff, upright branch habit, it grows 4 to 8 feet high and wide.

How long do Korean spice viburnum bloom?

Flowers unfurl in 3-inch-wide clusters in early spring, well before there's much else blooming. On Korean spice viburnum, red flower buds open to reveal pink blossoms that fade to white. In early spring's cooler air, the flowers and fragrance linger up to two weeks.

Is Korean spice viburnum toxic to dogs?

According to The ASPCA's Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, no viburnum species are listed as toxic to dogs. Keep in mind that many plants in your yard can be dangerous to you canine if ingested. Some can cause discomfort, stomach upset, or even be fatal.