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Wildlife Garden

Do viburnum trilobum smell bad? (Cranberry bush)

8 years ago

I was thinking of planting one or two of these shrubs, either the Wentworth or Philips variety but have read here and there that the berries are pretty stinky in the winter and possibly the flowers smell bad in the spring.

Does anyone have experience with this shrub? How bad do they smell and for how long? Do you have to be actually right up close to the flowers/berries or can you smell them by walking by or throw an open window if it is nearby?

I don't want to offend the neighbors!

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Comments (3)

s8us89ds
8 years ago
How large are the lots on your block? If you're talking about suburban quarter-acre or larger, go for it. If you're talking urban eighth-acre, townhouse, or patio home, maybe think twice.
Xty G (z4)
Original Author
8 years ago
We are on about a third an acre, but I was thinking of putting a few of these up near a well used walking and biking path. I don't want people using it to be disgusted with some sort of bad smell from these shrubs.
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On your Virburnum trilobum- if you don't see flowers, you won't see berries. ;-) Give it time. Good chance other trilobums are around to pollinate. Auburn University says this about Ilex pollination: "...pollination and berry set would usually occur with males and females separated up to 1/8 mile (660 feet), while 1 mile would be problematical, and 3 miles would be very unusual but possible..." tj
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Viburnum trilobum can definitely be grown in Tennessee. It would probably do better, in most parts of Tennessee, if planted in an area that gets above average moisture (but has well draining soil), has partial afternoon shade, or both. I would definitely try it even if you don't have ideal conditions. Supplemental watering during the hottest driest times of summer could help.
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I purchased what was labeled as an American Cranberry Bush from Home Depot this past spring after the late freeze. It looked healthy and was on sale for $6.00. The picture looked really pretty and the information said birds love the berries. I was not surprised it did not flower after planting but am hoping it does next spring. Reading through this thread makes me wonder if the cranberry bush needs a pollinator? I am sure someone here can answer that question for me. We are having very hot/dry weather here in TN and even though I believe I am keeping it well watered some of the "older" leaves are turning a "reddish" color. The planting directions said full sun. Does this plant really do well in full sun? Thanks in advance to anyone who replies.
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s8us89ds
8 years ago
Go for it. It can't be worse than the smell of human civilization: car fumes, factory smoke, gasoline lawn mower fumes, pesticides, industrial cleaning solvents, paint fumes, blacktop tar, industrial packaging products, dumpsters, mop buckets, sewer lines, grease vats. I've never smelled a single stinky shrub in all that I have encountered in the plant kingdom. If this one is truly stinky, let it be a 10-second educational experience for the passersby. The plant must serve some role in the ecosystem. It has a value to nature. Don't let it go extinct.

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