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How to Grow Viburnum 'Summer Bouquet'

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Viburnum 'Summer Bouquet'

Viburnum × burkii 'Summer Bouquet'

shrub

Summer Bouquet is a deciduous to semi-evergreen viburnum hybrid prized for its abundant, fragrant white flower clusters that bloom from late spring through summer. This compact shrub produces attractive red berries that mature to black, providing food for birds and ornamental interest well into fall.

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Example Viburnum 'Summer Bouquet' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Viburnum 'Summer Bouquet'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Viburnum 'Summer Bouquet'

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Viburnum 'Summer Bouquet' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun to partial shade, 4-6+ hours of direct sunlight daily
💧
Water: Moderate moisture; water deeply and regularly during establishment (first 2 years), then maintain even moisture. Avoid waterlogging and drought stress. More frequent watering needed in hot, dry climates.
📏
Spacing: 48 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 2-3 years to reach flowering maturity
🌱
Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball; do not bury stem

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil
pH: 5.5-7.0
Amendments:
Compost or aged bark mulch Peat moss for acid-loving preference Perlite if drainage is poor

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-9, with best performance in zones 6-8

5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

1

Establishment

3-6 months after planting

Young shrub adjusting to garden soil with limited new growth

Water regularly, mulch 2-3 inches deep, avoid fertilizing first year, prune only to remove damage

2

Vegetative Growth

Spring through early summer

Shoots elongate, foliage develops, plant fills out with healthy green leaves

Continue deep watering, apply balanced fertilizer in early spring, prune after flowering if needed for shape

3

Flowering

Late May to August (can be nearly continuous)

Terminal clusters of small, fragrant white flowers appear prolifically along stems

Ensure consistent moisture to support heavy bloom, do not prune during flowering, deadhead spent flowers to encourage repeat blooms

4

Fruiting

August through November

Flowers transition to red berries that gradually mature to glossy black, foliage may color slightly in fall

Allow berries to remain on plant for wildlife and ornament, reduce nitrogen fertilizer to promote berry color, minimal pruning

5

Winter Dormancy

December to February

Plant enters rest period; foliage may drop or persist depending on cultivar and winter severity

Mulch to insulate roots, avoid pruning in late fall, water if winter is dry, no fertilizer needed

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Japanese Chokeberry Oakleaf Hydrangea Butterfly Bush Clethra Itea (Virginia Sweetspire) Weigela Spirea Shade hostas

Avoid planting near:

Black Walnut (allelopathic)

Common Pests

  • Prune infested branches, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap in spring before leaf emergence, encourage parasitic wasps

  • Strong water spray to dislodge, insecticidal soap, neem oil, or horticultural oil in early season

  • Improve air circulation with pruning, apply sulfur or fungicidal spray, water at soil level only

  • Dormant oil spray in late winter, neem oil, insecticidal soap, prune heavily infested branches

Uses

🏠

Fragrant Cut Flowers

Household

The intensely fragrant white flower clusters make excellent long-lasting cut flowers for fresh bouquets and arrangements. The blooms extend the season from late spring into August. [source]

🦋

Bird Food & Habitat

Wildlife

The abundant red and black berries are highly attractive to migratory songbirds and native wildlife, making this shrub valuable for ecological gardens and wildlife corridors. [source]

🎨

Landscape Design & Ornament

Craft

Summer Bouquet is prized as an ornamental screening shrub and specimen plant, with season-long visual interest from fragrant flowers to colorful berries and fall foliage. [source]

🏠

Seasonal Décor

Household

Branches bearing red berries and glossy foliage can be cut in late summer and fall for festive floral arrangements and seasonal home decoration. [source]

Harvest Tips

Viburnum 'Summer Bouquet' is ornamental; no harvesting for food. Flowers may be cut fresh for fragrant arrangements in spring and summer. Berries attract birds naturally and are best left on the plant for wildlife, though can be cut with foliage for seasonal decoration.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Viburnum 'Summer Bouquet' is a hybrid (Viburnum × burkii) bred specifically for repeat flowering throughout the summer, a trait uncommon in many viburnum species.
  • 🌱 The flowers emit an intensely sweet fragrance that can perfume an entire garden—sometimes described as reminiscent of daphne or lilac.
  • 🌱 The red-to-black berry progression is attractive to birds precisely because the color change signals ripeness; birds preferentially eat the dark berries, aiding seed dispersal.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Hybrid Mulch Partial Shade
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