Viburnum cassinoides-Wild raisin

Description

“Will the real Viburnum cassinoides please stand up?” There is some confusing nomenclature swirling around this species. Sometimes known as Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides or just Viburnum cassinoides.  You may have seen wild raisin viburnum growing along partly shaded road sides, or growing along wetland margins on power line right of ways (which is where I first “discovered” it many years ago). It will catch your eye in mid to late spring when a profusion of frothy flowers erupt from the upper most branches. This plant is perhaps most noteworthy for the way its fruit changes colors from white to pink to blue in the late summer and fall. The common name comes from the fact that the dried up fruit really does look like raisins! The fruit appears to be a favorite of birds, as is the case with many of our viburnums, because it very quickly disappears before it fully ripens. I have come to see this as an excellent indicator of a plant’s importance to wildlife, and thus a guide to what we should be planting to support our feathered friends. I considered this to be one of our most impressive native viburnums (hobblebush would contend!).

15″ tall plants in 1 gallon pots for $38 each