For a related discussion...

Here is a link that might be useful: disappointed in Mariesii viburnum

If the zone is not a problem...I have seen a number of plantings of doublefile Viburnums along roadsides in full sun with no supplemental irrigation here in Virginia. They droop during hot and dry periods but they seem to recover just fine.

- Brent

Thanks for the followups. I don't know yet if we'll do it. I'm researching alternatives.

Candy

According to a bulletin issued recently by Ohio State University, doublefiles, trilobums, and other viburnums are host to a stem rot if subjected to stress. Poor pruning and water stress are both mentioned as means of stress.

I have witnessed this myself recently in some neglected, overgrown, badly pruned doublefiles. I did not realize the cause until I later read the bulletin, but the plants were rife with deadwood that broke away from the plant easily like balsa.

Prior to this, I thought of doublefiles as bullet proof once they were established. Now, I'm hedging a little.

Incidentally, in the garden, doublefiles are notably thirsty until they are established, and they seem to take much longer than other viburnums to establish--a full season at least. Even once established, they do indicate drought stress by wilting sooner than many others.

Scott

I've seen a cankerous condition on Viburnum plicatum tomentosum here as well, maybe it is the same thing.

All of mine exhibit water stress when the temperatures get above 90, even when the soils are moist. In fact, they are worse than my hydrangeas with regards to wilting when hit by sun. Haven't had any disease problems yet, but have some bad leaf burn on some as well as leaf loss on one in particular. I have had most of them for going on three years now, so they should be well established.

But man, do they look beautiful in the spring.

I have two double files, one in mostly shaded dry hillside, and one in full sun with irrigation. The one in full sun blooms profusely in spring and I even got a few blooms in the summer, and it grew from 2' to 8' tall in three years. The one in dry shade (root competition with large trees) blooms less and grows slower. I have seen no signs of strees on either. I would grow them just for there horizontal nature even if they didn't bloom.

Dieter, Thanks for the info. I thought it was a beautiful plant when I saw it. However, I'm not sure I want to buy more work. Right now we're having a drought and every night is dedicated to watering somewhere. It seems our summers turn out like this a lot. We don't have a shade location either, except where no one, especially me, would ever see the shrub. Thanks again for reply.

Candy

We are in southern NH and have a double file that was planted one year ago as prt of a foundation planting.
Our property does not get full sun. The double file only flowered spuratically this spring which was somewhat disappointing. Our local garden center indicated it could be treated with triple phosphate in July to promote flowering. Do you agree or is there another alternative.
On pruning...on cross over branches is the entire branch pruned to the stalks? Should the branch tips (1 foot or so) be pruned to control the diameter? Will this force top growth and weight? Thank-you in advance for your advice.

If this thread could come alive again, I have a new question. I discovered an Allegheny Viburnum and the descriptions say full sun and dry conditions. When I went to the same garden center as last year, the same person again recommended double file rather than Allegheny. I realize Allegheny is new but the developers recommend it for dry sites. Has anybody seen one. I have yet to find one locally.

great info on doublefile - however, i have another question. i put mine in last fall. it suffered shock when i brought it home and lost all its leaves before i could even plant it, but i put it in anyway. it lived and bloomed beautifully this spring. it seems healthy - lots of leaves and berries forming. the leaves look healthy, but the are a chartruese/emerald green color with a red tinge to the edges. pretty, but i expected a more dull medium green in summer. it gets shade in the am and sun in the afternoon ( i know not ideal). we have had little rain but the area is irrigated. thoughts? it does not seem dry.

'Allegheny' should do much better than double file in dry sites. Also good for dry sites are 'Holland', another cross like 'Allegheny', and V. lantana 'Mohican', one of the parents of 'Allegheny'. Also, if you have two of these (not the same ones) you'll get berries.

I have three doublefiles, one is about 8 years old and two are 3 years old. Other than the first summer after planting, I haven't watered them more than a couple of times (in extremely dry conditions) in all the years I've had them. They are in full sun and clay soil. Extremely easy shrubs that I never worry about.

Thanks for the comments. I'll try to be patient and wait for the Allegheny. I do wish to incorporate another pollinator somewhere but I don't know where yet. The related crosses was helpful information.

candy, I just wanted to point out that Allegheny Viburnum (Viburnum x rhytidophylloides) is not new. My parents have had one for about 12 yrs now. I had one at a previous house that would be about the same, and I have one here. This one was put in last year when we moved in.

Terryr,

I thought I read that they'd been introduced in the last few years. Nevertheless, how do you like them? I'm hoping for dark green leaves. Flowers, but mostly berries for birds. Is it a dense grower. Any pests? Your experience would be appreciated.

i'm glad this thread was revived because i am very disappointed in the performance of my 2 doublefiles and maybe someone can advise me. i planted them last spring, one 5' and one 10' away from a maple tree. they get about 3 hrs of mid day sun and my soil is sandy loam. the one closest to the tree droops every day in warm weather and i diligently water it, after which it perks right up. (i surmise this one is planted adjacent to a large and thirsty maple root system.) i wouldn't mind the watering so much if i was rewarded with a show of flowers but after all the pampering last summer i only got ONE bloom! and it was on the back side of the wilty shrub so i had to walk all the way out to the back of the yard and peek around to see it! i would like to know why no flowers!? years ago i had a doublefile that was planted in compacted clay under a huge apple tree. it never saw sunlight and i completely ignored it, yet it bloomed profusely every year. sigh.

I have 2 Viburnum plicatum tomentosum--1 is"Mariesii" and 1 is "Shasta", 1 V. rhytidophylloides "willowood", 1 V. dentatum? "cardinal candy", 2 V. burkwoodii mohawk.
LOVE viburnums! Anyway-completely carefree are the burkwoodii (1 gets the sprinkler and 1 doesn't--no problems), rhytidophylloides--gets sprinkled-awesome shrub -flowers for me in spring and again in fall!!(the Allegheny variety doesn't bloom in fall-so get this one!)

V. dentatum gets NO water--stunning fruit!! everyone asks about it. for the MARIESSII...1 is 7 ft. from a maple
tree and is doing horrible--these seem to really need water-it gets sprinkled but just not getting enough sun i think. I just cut it to the ground because had so much dead and a new sprout with horizontal branching came up to the side of it! (we'll see).
Other Mariessii (gets sprinkled) is a tree form and boy has it taken off!! planted too close to house (tag told me 12-15'wide) It just keeps getting bigger! I try to prune even though I know you shouldn't but I need to use my stairs! Here is what I do...in fall I trim the tips (sorry!) of whatever branches need it back to a set of 2 side branches--figure I am still encouraging the horizontal effect that way. Seems to be doing ok. I
have done this for 3 yrs.
Still get the flowers and fruit. Probably would be better display if I didn't prune--but still impressive looking!!