Dirr apparently has the same concern. Under the section for V. carlesii (Korea), he shows V. b. as a "related species". He says V. b. (Korea, Japan) is somewhat similar to V. carlesii but "with smaller leaves, more slender stems, looser habit and smaller flowers". He says that V. b. is considered "inferior" to V. carlesii. He later says that he keeps "looking for definitive ways to separate this from V. carlesii." And that "the looser, laxer, more open inflorescence and stronger dentate serrations toward apex of the leaf are helpful" in distinguishing it. This is from the Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. Someone with a copy of his Viburnum book may have more recent remarks of his.

I think I had it for 6 or 8 years, but I'm not sure. My mother had bought one at the same nursery, at the same time, and hers was oversized too. Is it POSSIBLE that they're grafted and the rootstock determines the eventual size of the shrub? I'm not a pruner, especially not interested in "pruning for size," so, although I removed a few stray branches for awhile, I did not try to prune it very seriously. My mom, on the other hand, pruned hers for a few years before deciding that it was just too big. If I were you, I'd talk to the people at the nursery where you bought it before planting it. If I'd known the size mine would reach, I could have planted it in another area. They do not like to be moved, at least that's what I've read. Then again, yours may be a smaller one - I certainly have seen small doublefiles that don't look like they're being hacked up annually.

Viburnum fruit are quite edible (at least the ones that can be grown in the midwest that I've consumed) though they aren't all very tasty. Birds will most likely clean up all the arrowwood fruit soon after they ripen, so worrying about kids/fruit shouldn't be a problem. Rachel: get a compact V. carlesii in addition to the V. x juddii, and you should have appropriate partners for future fruiting. As far as what people should know: I've been a horticulturist about 20 years, and a landscape architect (including school) for about 10. I can't claim to know everything, but I darn sure try to learn it when it's obvious that I don't and need to. Same with this instance. Learning all the viburnum lore came with first attraction to the possibilities of the genus, and then the need to make all the possibilities happen when the plants were acquired and planted. I had the advantage of many years of acquiring texts on woody plants, so a little reading got me steered in the right direction. Not every plant/design professional is so oriented (unfortunately) and sometimes only is exposed to the knowledge level of those they work with, or the limited amount of information that can be provided during the short time in school. I admire, and look for in those I work with or hire, that thirst for CONTINUING LIFELONG EDUCATION (of which GW is one additional source) which illustrates a passion for higher standards and results. It is promising that the landscaper you admire bothered to source more info for you. It is not promising to suggest that you are overthinking things. I'd be interested in hearing what "tons of viburnums" she plants; what clones of which species; and what happens when she only plants one clone of a species that is rarely represented in Chicagoland. There is the rub. To make the point, you also might ask her if it is overthinking things to only plant Ilex verticillata Winter Red, and no male pollinator, especially if you are in a relatively isolated locale. I bet the various clones of V. dentatum are well represented around Chicago, since several of them were selected there and have been planted for years. Not so with quite a few others though, like V. nudum Winterthur. You may NEVER see fruit on this fine plant without a dissimilar V. nudum around, since it blooms quite a bit after almost every other common viburnum species. So.......you are on the right track, and hopefully have many more viburnum experience opportunities ahead. And, if you've helped a design/landscape professional learn a little something along the way, the world will be a better place for it.

I've made a start.... thanks to Julie, Rick, and Leaves. It's almost tougher when you have a list of varieties then when you go 'looking' without knowing exactly what you want. And, of course, it's still early so nurseries are just starting to get the shrubs in. So far, I've found: Amelanchier alnifolia 'Regent'(Serviceberry/Juneberry) and Aronia melanocarpa elata (Glossy Black Chokeberry)- Both found at Sargent's on 2nd (Rochester. Viburnum 'Blue Muffin' found at Owatonna's newest nursery Turtle Creek. And, just today Viburnum 'Onondaga' found at Nagle's Sod and Nursery on I-35 south of Medford. I have to say, I love Onondaga! The spring color is just lovely. I have planted it near a deep evergreen tree on one side and with the silvery Chokeberry on the other side. That little section should just be stunning when the shrubs get a little growth on them. I think the golden current and the 'Kelsey' dogwood might be the toughest to track down. I've found plenty of 'Alpine' currents but not the golden variety. Same for other varieties of red twigged dogwood but I'm kind of stuck on Kelsey for it's small size (2-3' H&T). I can always mail-order, but would rather do business locally if I can. BTW, for anyone who hasn't been there, Nagles has the greatest selection of iron (the natural rusty looking variety) garden accessories. I ended up buying a bench and trellis's as well as the viburnum. They also have a lot of concrete yard art, benches, etc, but it was really the iron that got to me!