Learn How Viburnums Add Beauty To The Landscape

Experts From Around The Country Gather For Arboretum Seminar

LISLE, IL (April 19, 2007) – They’re a gardener’s dream.  Fragrant flowers. Showy flowers. Fall color. Berries. All in one package!

Homeowners and landscape professionals can learn to add beauty and fragrance to the garden with “Viburnums for the Midwest,” a seminar presented by experts from around the country, on May 11, from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at The Morton Arboretum’s Thornhill Education Center.

“There’s a wide choice of native and non-native viburnums that are great additions to your garden,” said Doris Taylor, Plant Clinic Manager. “In addition to lovely leaves, the spring buds and some flowers give off spicy-sweet fragrances!”

One presentation will demonstrate how to make the most impact in your unique garden landscape. The white or pink five-petal viburnum flowers attract butterflies while the red, purple, blue or black autumn fruits are a great feast for native birds. Also, most viburnums show off wonderful fall color. These shrubs can grow from two feet to nearly 20 feet tall and are perfect for adding differing height variety to your landscape.

Viburnum species that can add interest to your landscape include the fragrant snowball, maple-leaved, Judd’s, Korean spice, Sargent’s, wayfaring tree, American cranberry-bush, and several types of southern arrowwood including a special cultivar, Autumn Jazz, that was selected by Arboretum research scientists as an especially hardy plant with four-season interest. Blackhaw viburnum can be 20 feet tall and have a dominant stem or leader like a tree.

The seminar features five presentations explaining the qualities of different viburnums, how to select the right varieties for a distinctive design in your landscape, proper planting and care and how to avoid and treat pest and disease problems.

The day ends in the mid-afternoon with guided walks led by Arboretum staff to see viburnums discussed in the presentations. The Morton Arboretum has 93 different types of shrubs in the viburnum family, with a total of 1,155 individual plants.

The seminar cost is $119 ($99 for Arboretum members) including a hot buffet lunch. For reservations, call 630-719-2468. For more information, visit www.mortonarb.org.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,057 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission - the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier, Central Time. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT) and 9:30 to 4 p.m. (CST). Visit www.mortonarb.org or call 630/968-0074 to learn more.

Media Contacts:    Gina Tedesco, 630-725-2103 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Marty Cusack, 630-719-5768 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it