Common Name: Linden Viburnum

General Information

Viburnum dilatatum is an erect, deciduous shrub that usually grows up to 6 metres tall, though is generally smaller in cultivation[, , , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is often grown as an ornamental[] and can be used in hedges[].
Plants have naturalized from gardens by self-seeding in certain areas of the United States from New York to Virginia[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea

Habitat

Thickets in hills and at low elevations in mountains[]. Sparse forests, forest margins and scrub; at elevations from 100 - 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but is ill-adapted for poor soils and for dry situations[]. It prefers a deep rich loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, ]. Best if given shade from the early morning sun in spring[]. Established plants have some drought tolerance[].
Any pruning is best carried out immediately after flowering in order to encourage flower formation for the following year[].
Plants are self-incompatible and need to grow close to a genetically distinct plant in the same species in order to produce fruit and fertile seed[, ].
A very ornamental[] and polymorphic species[], there are some named varieties developed for the ornamental value of the fruit[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. A sweet flavour[]. The ovoid fruit matures red; it is about 6 - 8mm long and 4 - 7mm wide, containing a single large seed[, ].

Leaves - cooked[, ].

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves is astringent and vermifuge. It is used for washing and healing maggoty sores[, ]
.
The twigs are also vermifuge whilst the fruits are used as a vermifuge for children[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown in hedges[].

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the inner bark is used for making ropes[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Germination can be slow, sometimes taking more than 18 months. If the seed is harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it has fully ripened) and sown immediately in a cold frame, it should germinate in the spring[]. Stored seed will require 2 months warm then 3 months cold stratification and can still take 18 months to germinate[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame or greenhouse. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of soft-wood, early summer in a frame[]. Pot up into individual pots once they start to root and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8 cm long with a heel if possible, mid summer in a frame[, ]. Plant them into individual pots as soon as they start to root. These cuttings can be difficult to overwinter, it is best to keep them in a greenhouse or cold frame until the following spring before planting them out[].
Cuttings of mature wood, winter in a frame. They should root in early spring - pot them up when large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if sufficient new growth is made, otherwise keep them in a cold frame for the next winter and then plant them out in the spring.
Layering of current seasons growth in mid summer. Takes 15 months[].