Canadian viburnum

Family Caprifoliaceae. In the wild it grows in eastern Canada, extending into the USA. On rocky hill slopes, forest edges, riverbanks and swamps, up to 800 m above sea level, together with other deciduous and coniferous trees.

A tall deciduous shrub or small tree up to 6 m tall, with an ovoid crown; broadly ovate, pointed leaves up to 10 cm long, smooth, glossy, finely toothed at the margin, bright green in summer and various shades of red in autumn. Small fruiting, creamy-white flowers are gathered in corymb-like inflorescences up to 12 cm in diameter. Blooms for 10-15 days. Fruits are bluish-black, with a glaucous bloom, up to 1.5 m, edible. During ripening they change color from green to bluish-black and adorn the plant practically all summer until autumn.

Grows moderately fast, shade-tolerant, frost-hardy, undemanding of soil conditions, but sensitive to soil moisture. Tolerates urban conditions well. Due to its decorative qualities and undemanding nature it is a desirable element for landscaping in gardens and parks, on boulevards and squares both in solitary and group plantings, especially near water. In cultivation since 1761. Lifespan about 80 years.