Ashe's Viburnum (Viburnum ashei)

In December 1993, Professor Ed Leuck planted an Ashe's viburnum (Viburnum ashei) near Mickle Hall. Today, that shrub is very large. More evidence that it's been doing well: over the past few years, volunteers have been noticed elsewhere in the arboretum.

When it has its leaves, the large shrub conceals most of the arboretum shed. Soon the leaves will drop completely and the arboretum shed will be fully revealed until early spring. Interestingly, this shrub has grown very well in this spot, perhaps enjoying the extra moisture from the roof and concrete foundation of the shed. Due to the shed's presence, the shrub has had to endure regular pruning, and it has also suffered major storm damage.

The Ashe's viburnum seen from a slightly different angle

Ashe's viburnum has gorgeous fall foliage; leaves like this make you feel sorry for colorblind people.

Fruits remain on the shrub. Collect some for a germination project!

Not many leaves turn pink. What a treasure.

These purplish-black drupes contrast starkly against the foliage.

Enjoy these while they last!

 

 

 

 

Ashe's Viburnum (Viburnum ashei)

 

If you happen to be walking through the Centenary campus and pass through the arboretum in the next few weeks, find the arboretum's storage shed. Next to it you will spot a very large shrub sporting blue fruits. Feel free to take some of the fruits home with you and plant them or just throw them on the ground in a wild place. This shrub is one of several individuals on the docket for potential removal in 2023 due to construction.

The fruit clusters are numerous, and seeds have already been collected for an arboretum germination project. So don't feel too bad for the plant and don't be shy about taking some seed with you.

The leaves of Ashe's viburnum (Viburnum ashei) are turning from light green to red.

Twig with small fruit cluster, pictured November 19, 2022

Ashe's Viburnum (Viburnum ashei)

New Leaves

Ashe's viburnum (Viburnum ashei)

Arrow wood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)

Toothache tree (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis)

What's in Bloom?

In the middle of May, the arboretum collection is displaying a variety of creamy white flowers. The oak-leaf hydrangea bushes (Hydrangea quercifolia) and sweetbay magnolias (Magnolia virginiana) have been in flower for several weeks now. You can't miss the hydrangeas, but you'll need to go looking for the sweetbay flowers. The flowering magnolias (Magnolia grandiflora) have been in bloom all over town, but the trees in the arboretum collection have just now started blooming. On the slopes of the arboretum the viburnums are producing clusters of white flowers, and in the wet areas along the drainage the lizard-tail flowers can be seen. The large leadplant bush (Amorpha paniculata) breaks with the color scheme, showing us its purple and orange flowers in a wild display of racemes.

Oak-leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) flower

Evergreen Sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana var. australis)

Flowering Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)

Ashe's viburnum (Viburnum ashei) is a large bush covered in white flowers, located near Mickle Hall.

Lizard-tail (Saururus cernuus) flower and leaves

There are several substantial patches of lizard-tail in the arboretum, along the main drainage that runs north to south.

The purple and orange flowers of the Amorpha paniculata bush add a dash of extra color to the arboretum this month. 

Amorpha paniculata racemes and leaves

Viburnum ashei