An Unusual Native Shrub for Spring Flowers and Fall Color

One of the top reasons we moved to a country town was to avoid noise, light pollution, and traffic. As the southeast US grows, our car traffic has increased exponentially and my patience with other drivers (too slow, too fast, or too stupid) has shrunk. A “traffic jam” in our current area means we can see four cars at a time. I love the slower pace of life. So, when we left our home to enjoy lunch in a neighboring NC town and saw six cars (gasp!), it meant that our chosen driving route detoured away from the main streets and through an older neighborhood. It was an opportunity to check out home landscaping and scrutinize gardens I would not have otherwise seen. Wonder of all wonders, in the uncultivated ditches of Columbus, NC, a native shrub was putting on her spring show.  Mapleleaf Viburnum was in full flower.

Mapleleaf Viburnum is Viburnum acerifolium, pronounced vih-BUR-num a-ser-ih-FOH-lee-um. Other common names include Mapleleaf Arrowwood and Dockmackie. The fuzzy leaves are shaped like maple (Acer) trees. This shade-loving shrub is native to the eastern half of the North America, from Canada all the way down to north Florida. It will spread via suckers to form a thicket. The flat clusters of tiny white flowers will mature into blue-black berries only when another genetically different plant is around for cross pollination. Like PawPaw, the suckers are clones of the mother plant and cannot pollinate themselves.

Bees and other pollinators love the pollen and nectar of Mapleleaf Viburnum, and birds and small mammals enjoy the fruit.

As pretty as the flower clusters are, I think Mapleleaf Viburnum is at its best in fall, when leaves turn pink, rose, red, orange, or purple. This understory show happens in dappled shade, while most other brilliant fall colors are happening in full sun.

Mapleleaf Virburnum will grow to six feet tall and six feet wide. It wants acidic soil and prefers moisture when young but will tolerate drought once established. It is moderately resistant to damage by deer. Plants can be propagated from seeds or stem cuttings.

You won’t find this gem in big box stores or smaller nurseries. Seek it in specialty nurseries or mail order companies as a beautiful choice for woodland gardens, pollinator gardens, native gardens, or hedges. Shrubs are deciduous, so privacy hedges provide less screening in winter than in summer.

A close view of Mapleleaf Viburnum flowers

This plant was growing in a ditch, planted by nature (birds) and not by human hands.

One version of fall color. Others are orange, yellow, or purple shades, depending upon soil, sun, and weather. This image by Katja Schulz, CC BY 2.0.

Fatsia for a Tropical Appearance

Fatsia japonica (pronounced FAT-see-uh jah-PON-ih-kuh) is a broadleaf, semi-evergreen shrub (or short tree) with a decidedly tropical appearance. Native to Japan and Korea, Fatsia is prized for its large, shiny, dark green leaves. It has clusters of white flowers in fall. that resemble drumsticks.

Fatsia prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil and partial shade in zones 7-10. It is important to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, to avoid root rot. Fatsia also benefits from regular fertilization during active growth. Do not fertilize in winter. Locate the plant away from windy areas to avoid torn or brown leaves.

Fatsia can grow quite large, reaching up to 20 feet tall and wide. Prune it regularly to maintain its shape and size. Pruning can be done any time of the year, but is best undertaken in the late winter or early spring before new growth appears. It can be propagated from stem cuttings in the summer and may self-sow from dropped seeds.

Fatsia is relatively pest and disease-free, but it can be susceptible to scale insects and spider mites. Deer find the leaves tasty. In areas with high deer pressure, consider container culture so that plants can be draped or relocated. Container plants will not grow as tall as ground-grown plants.

This Fatsia looks fabulous when its bold leaves are seen in contrast to a small-leaf Azalea (left), variegated Hosta (middle) and burgundy foliage of a Japanese maple (right)

Calycanthus, Carolina Allspice or Sweetshrub

Sweet Shrub is a homely shrub with a heavenly scent. Native to the southeast, Sweet Shrub grows in part shade. It will reach heights of six to ten feet, and spreads indefinitely by suckering. Flowers of the species are nondescript, wine colored, and easy to overlook. Newer cultivars have larger, more attractive flowers but may not be as fragrant as the older type. The flowers have a scent that is described as a cross between strawberry and kiwi. Bruised foliage has a pleasant scent also.

Sweet Shrub (Calycanthus floridus, pronounced kal-ee-KAN-thus FLOR-id-us) is perennial in zones 4-9. It will reach heights up to 12 feet in clay or loamy soil with an acidic or neutral pH. Flowers have strap-like petals (tepals) in shades of burgundy to brown. Newer cultivar ‘Athens’ has white flowers and ‘Aphrodite’ has a brighter red bloom than the straight species. ‘Hartlage Wine’ has larger, showier flowers.

Locate Sweet Shrub in a woodland garden to seating or pathways so that its fragrance can be enjoyed. Flowers are popular with pollinators and shrubs are usually ignored by deer.

This is the native version of Calycanthus, Sweet Shrub. Newer cultivars have larger flowers. Reports indicate that newer cultivar ‘Venus’ is equally fragrant.