Yup, looks like a Viburnum to me.

Is Viburnum, but definitely not the Old Fashioned Snowball

What kind might it be?

Maybe Viburnum plicatum??

when you buy sticks.. it can take.. 3 to 7 years.. for them to sexually mature to the point of getting to the reproductive cycle .... aka flower .. and a lot of their work is underground.. growing the roots ..

if you are restricted in space ... and want the snowball.. out it goes ...

but if you have a spot for another V ... why not give it a few more years ...

im not much excited about the clan ... mostly just a green bush for a majority of the year ... but they do serve useful functions ...

ken

This one looks pretty healthy, albeit a bit misshapen.

It is shaped bad, because I haven't pruned it yet. (Wanted to let the leaves generate as much energy as possible for the roots)

i googled up on plicatum and yes it does look the same, I did see there's one called "Japanese snowball" which maybe this one is? I'll leave it there.

ultimately I'm not gardening because I'm a gardener, I garden to block out my neighbors, so I'm willing to give it a shot.

When I said it was misshapen that was no reflection on your care. I'd do the same as you. Give it some time then shape it up with a little judicious pruning. But definitely don't trim it into a blob. This shrub develops a beautiful layered habit if allowed to follow its nature.

I have a yard-full of viburnum here in SE Colorado, Zone 5 along the Arkansas River. I love them! Any time I see a new kind, I get it. I have sandy soil which I constantly enrich with leaves each autumn. I have such good luck with V's, I have suckers coming up all over. Give this V. time to grow. Personally, I think you got a good deal with your "stick" One of my favorites is V. burkwoodii, the Korean Spice Viburnum. Mine began blooming mid-April and is still in bloom May 1. It has a wonderful spicy fragrance and has quickly reached a height of 8'. We have alkaline, sandy soil, but my V. do just fine. They like water and will wilt and pout when too dry. I grow some of mine in part-shade under a huge American Elm. I have a this V. border on the south side of my yard under the elm, and the other border is on the north side of my 113-year old, two-story brick home, where it gets bright, reflected sunlight. Try some flowering shrub fertilizer and give a good soak once a week if you don't get lots of rain. Try other V.s, like I have. You just might fall in love with them. If you're an impatient gardener, look for fast-growers, like my Korean Spice.

(cont.) Here is a photo of my V. border, on the north side of my home. The first is a common snowball, the middle is another variety, and the last is the Korean Spice.

Ruth they look great in your pic!

we actually have some others also, have Chicago lustre, northern burgundy, wentworth, redwing in a privacy hedge... Although all are babies... Also have a Korean spice carleesi compact I believe it's called, so maybe next year we will get some scent.

i also just bought a brandywine and will buy a winterthur as well for pollination... Going for the berries.. Haven't planted them yet but in the next couple weeks hopefully.

i like easy plants.

matt, I dug up at a donated four foot viburnum and transplanted it last year into our yard. I have come to love it. Have no idea what kind it is either. Your leaves are glossier with more striation. Anyway, it's in full bloom now.

Avamom's "maple" leaves are indicative of v. Opulus I think.

Thanks matt. I've been eager to know if it is even a snowball variety. I didn't see any berries on it it's first fall with us. I think the sterile means no berries?

I'm no expert but I think basically the flower is round not flat due to a "birth defect" let's say which makes the flowers sterile. Like it had extra petals instead of the correct parts.

I don't think this mislabeled stick was a good deal... Happened to be at Home Depot tonight and found a huge (5' 3-gallon) real v. Opulus roseum/sterile and bought it for $24.99. As opposed for a stick for $4 plus probably $6 shipping!

oh well I learned my lesson.

probably another plant for the trade Saturday lol

Good find, Matt. Maybe just tender care to the little stick vibernum and just relax and enjoy watching it grow over the years. Then you have your new one for eye candy. Full disclaimer: I pretty much want (and buy with eye towards) immediate plant gratification too. Downside being transplants don't always take.

"probably another plant for the trade Saturday" Matt, I'd wait to see what this one looks like when it blooms. IME most of the viburnums are well worth their space with spring flowers and gorgeous fall color. It may not be large yet, but it now has its feet under it and should grow more quickly and help fill in your border. I personally prefer plicatum to opulus.

Viburnums are awesome. Check out 'Mary Milton'!

I also prefer plicatum over opulus.

Matt, as far as I'm concerned, you got a better plant than the one you asked for. I think you will be surprised how fast it grows. it is also a bit more dense than the opulus, which gives you somewhat better privacy that you're looking for.

I agree with Mike - I'd take a plicatum over an opulus any day of the week. Stunning plants in bloom and very handsome foliage. As long as the viburnum leaf beetle is not scavenging through your area.........

Okay u all convinced me to leave it, I've got another spot I can stick the opulus snowball instead. Although I might need to transplant my whole hedge to space them out more.... I can't believe I keep planting things too close together

I also like the plicatum more, and find it hasn't had issues with viburnum beetles on my property, even the ones growing near a V. dentatum that was severely effected. Opulus is one that is more favored by the beetle as well from what I've read.