Viburnum 'Summer Snowflake'

Viburnums are a remarkably diverse group of shrubs. Right now, my American cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum) is resplendent in its ensemble of red berries and burnished leaves.

My favorite viburnum, though, is the more tender and less readily available V. plicatum 'Shasta.' I love, love, love its horizontal branching habit -- especially when it's smothered in lacecap flowerheads in spring!

Unfortunately, last winter was hard on it. The alternate hot and cold cycles took their toll and I had lots of dieback.

A shrub that seems to combine the hardiness of the americanum with the flowers and form of the plicatum is rapidly winning my heart. V. plicatum f. tomentosum 'Summer Snowflake' also has the charming attribute of blooming all summer. While it doesn't produce that same springtime flourish of blossoms all season, the dabs of white that do show up are always welcome.

As a young shrub, 'Summer Snowflake' is growing more vertically now than its cousin, but I'm told that it will spread with age. I hope so. I'm expecting great things from this little beauty.