tea viburnum

Viburnum setigerum

Tea viburnum is a lovely shrub with beautiful clusters of white flowers. It grows berries that are enjoyed by birds, making it a great plant for gardens and parks.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The tea viburnum is an upright, deciduous shrub featuring ovate, dark green leaves that turn reddish-purple in autumn. It produces clusters of small, creamy-white flowers in late spring, followed by striking, bright orange to red berries that persist into winter.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderDipsacalesFamilyViburnaceaeGenusViburnum

tea viburnum

Interesting facts

Despite its name, the 'tea' viburnum isn't typically used for tea, but its leaves were once explored as a tea substitute!

In fall, its green leaves transform into stunning shades of purplish-red, adding a fiery glow to the garden!

Its scientific name, setigerum, means 'bristle-bearing,' hinting at tiny hairs on its leaves and stems!

The tea viburnum's cheerful red berries can last on branches all winter, even after the leaves have fallen!

Special abilities

Tea viburnum's bright red berries act like a beacon, attracting birds to eat them and spread its seeds far and wide.

Its dense branches and foliage create cozy hiding spots, offering shelter and safety for small birds and insects.

The small, creamy-white flowers host a party for insects, inviting them to help the plant make new seeds.

Measurements & details

Height: 200-400 cm
Spread: 150-300 cm
Flower Size: 0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer
Edible: No
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Gathers nectar and pollen from flowers

pollinates

Common eastern bumblebee

Bombus impatiens

Visits flowers for nectar and pollen

eaten by

American robin

Turdus migratorius

Consumes the bright red berries, aiding seed dispersal

eaten by

Cedar waxwing

Bombycilla cedrorum

Feeds on the persistent berries, especially in winter

eaten by

Viburnum leaf beetle

Pyrrhalta viburni

Larvae and adults feed on the leaves

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Ornamental

Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.