Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum) Viburnum farreri
Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum) (Viburnum farreri) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Viburnaceae family, native to Northern China (Gansu, Qinghai); long grown in north Chinese gardens. It grows 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) tall and 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
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Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Viburnaceae |
| Mature height | 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about November for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Northern China (Gansu, Qinghai); long grown in north Chinese gardens |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇨🇳 China |
Is Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: raw berries
Raw viburnum berries can cause stomach upset if many are eaten.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum)
- How far apart should I plant Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum)?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft).
- Does Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum)?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum) flower?
- From about November for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Raw viburnum berries can cause stomach upset if many are eaten.
- What grows well with Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- Clusters of sweetly scented pink-white flowers open on bare twigs from late autumn to early spring, in every mild spell. Reginald Farrer sent seed from Gansu in 1914. It is a parent of the popular hybrid Viburnum × bodnantense ‘Dawn’.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Korean spice viburnum Viburnum carlesii
- American highbush cranberry Viburnum trilobum
- Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum) Viburnum plicatum
- Arrowwood viburnum Viburnum dentatum
- Laurustinus Viburnum tinus
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens