FLOWER OF THE WEEK AT SOPCHOPPY DEPOT PARK

Walter’s Viburnum

By LYNN ARTZ, SANDY TEDDER and DAVID RODDENBERRY

Walter’s viburnum (Viburnum obovatum) is an evergreen shrub with showy clusters of tiny, white flowers in late winter that offer early food for bees. Small red fruit turn black when mature and attract birds and other wildlife. The dense foliage provides shelter and nesting habitat. Small dark green leaves feed spring azure butterfly caterpillars. This lovely native grows 10-20’ tall and nearly as wide in full-to-part sun in moist-to-dry soil. It often has multiple trunks and sends up suckers to form a thicket. Walter’s viburnum makes an excellent border/screening plant. Named varieties (cultivars) are available but the true native is preferred for genetic diversity and benefit to pollinators. Walter’s viburnum are among the evergreen borders at Sopchoppy Depot Park. Those in the northern gardens were thinned recently for park visibility.