Viburnum 'Eskimo'
ABOUT
The Eskimo Viburnum is a lush, ornamental shrub that is widely admired for its aesthetic appearance. It distinguishes itself with a profusion of snowball-like flower clusters, which are essentially large, creamy white blooms that gather compactly to create a rounded, pom-pom-like effect. These beautiful blooms often emerge in the spring, emitting a subtle and delightful fragrance that can attract both human admirers and pollinators like bees and butterflies. The foliage of the Eskimo Viburnum is equally attractive, with leaves that are dark green and glossy, creating a rich backdrop that highlights the brilliance of its flowers. The leaves have a leathery texture and are ovate to elliptic in shape, sometimes exhibiting toothed or slightly wavy edges. In autumn, the foliage can transition to a warm display of colors, adding seasonal interest to the plant. It is a dense, multi-stemmed shrub that tends to form a rounded, mounded shape. Its branch structure is somewhat compact, providing a full-bodied appearance that makes it suitable as a focal plant in garden designs or as part of a mixed shrub border. The Eskimo Viburnum often becomes a haven for birds, which find refuge in its thick branches and may feed on any fruit it produces. The fruits – when they appear – are berry-like and may be inconspicuously colored, often attracting wildlife. Overall, the Eskimo Viburnum is treasured for its ornate flowers, robust foliage, and pleasing form, making it a captivating addition to a variety of landscapes.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Eskimo Viburnum, Snowball Viburnum
Common names
Viburnum 'Eskimo'
ToxicityTo humans
The Eskimo plant is not known to be highly toxic to humans. Ingesting parts of this plant may cause mild stomach upset if consumed in large quantities. However, it is always best to avoid ingesting any part of ornamental plants due to the potential for individual allergic reactions or unknown sensitivities.
To pets
The Eskimo plant is not considered to be highly toxic to pets. While it might not be deadly, ingesting parts of this plant could potentially cause mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, in some pets. As with all ornamental plants, it's best to prevent pets from ingesting the plant to avoid any potential issues.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
4 feet 6 inches [1.37 meters]
Spread
4 feet [1.22 meters]
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Eskimo Viburnum features attractive white flowers and a compact, dense growth habit, enhancing garden aesthetics and curb appeal.
- All-Season Interest: It offers year-round interest with spring blooms, summer foliage, autumn color, and winter berries.
- Low Maintenance: Eskimo Viburnum is known for being easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning and upkeep.
- Wildlife Attraction: The flowers, fruits, and structure provide habitat and food for birds and beneficial insects.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can tolerate periods of drought, making it suitable for various landscapes.
- Hardiness: It is hardy in a range of climates, which allows it to thrive in many temperate regions.
- Privacy Screen: With its dense growth, it can be used to create privacy screens or living borders in gardens and yards.
- Soil Adaptability: It can grow in a variety of soil types, from clay to sandy, as long as the soil is well-draining.
- Pollinator Support: Eskimo Viburnum provides nectar and pollen for pollinators such as butterflies and bees in the springtime.
- Winter Interest: The plant retains its leaves in milder winters and bears fruit that can persist into the colder months, contributing to winter garden interest.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Viburnum 'Eskimo' can be used as a natural privacy screen or hedge due to its dense foliage, which creates a living barrier in your garden or yard.
- The wood of Viburnum 'Eskimo' is sometimes used for small carving projects or in the production of tool handles owing to its hardness and durability.
- During the autumn, Viburnum 'Eskimo' can be used as a natural bird feeder as birds are attracted to its berries, which provide a valuable food resource.
- Viburnum 'Eskimo' branches are used in floral arrangements, especially when they are laden with berries, to add a splash of color and texture.
- Photographers and artists often use Viburnum 'Eskimo' as a subject or backdrop due to its attractive flowers and structured form.
- Some cultures use the bark of Viburnum 'Eskimo' in traditional crafts, such as basket weaving or as a natural dye for fabrics.
- This plant is used in educational settings such as botany or horticulture courses to teach about plant identification and characteristics.
- Viburnum 'Eskimo' is utilized in landscape rehabilitation projects to restore native plant communities and improve local ecosystem health.
- The leaves of Viburnum 'Eskimo' can be used as a natural mulch, decomposing to enrich the soil with organic matter.
- Due to its aesthetic appeal, Viburnum 'Eskimo' is commonly used in theme gardens, like white gardens, where its blooms can be a highlight.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiEskimo Viburnum is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityEskimo Viburnum is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Renewal and New Beginnings: Viburnum often blooms early in spring, signaling the end of winter and the start of a new growth cycle. This makes the plant symbolize fresh starts and rejuvenation.
- Protection: The dense, evergreen nature of many viburnum species, including the 'Eskimo', lends itself to being a symbol of shelter and a protective haven for birds and wildlife.
- Persistence and Resilience: Viburnum 'Eskimo' is known for its hardiness in various climates and conditions, making it a symbol of the ability to withstand adversity.
- Beauty and Elegance: With its lush foliage and creamy-white blossoms, the 'Eskimo' viburnum is often associated with beauty, grace, and elegance in the landscape.
WaterFor the Eskimo Viburnum, watering should be done in a way that keeps the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which often means once a week. Provide about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water each time you water, ensuring it reaches the roots without flooding the area. In hot, dry periods, you may need to water more frequently, while in cooler or rainy periods, you might water less. Reduce watering in the dormant season (fall and winter) to prevent root rot, but do not let the soil completely dry out.
LightEskimo Viburnum thrives in partial to full sunlight. The best location for this plant provides morning sunlight and afternoon shade, or filtered light throughout the day. Avoid deep shade, as this can hamper the plant's flowering and foliage density. Ensure that the chosen spot gets at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and blooming.
TemperatureEskimo Viburnum prefers a moderate temperature range and can generally tolerate minimum temperatures down to 0 to -10°F for short periods. The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 60°F and 75°F. Eskimo Viburnum may struggle and suffer damage in prolonged exposure to temperatures below 0°F or above 90°F.
PruningPruning of Eskimo Viburnum is generally done to maintain its shape, remove any dead or damaged branches, and encourage healthy growth. It is best to prune immediately after the plant flowers in late spring or early summer to avoid cutting off next year's buds. Light pruning once a year is sufficient for maintaining a neat appearance and promoting robust growth for the following season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilEskimo Viburnum thrives in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter with a pH of 5.6 to 6.6. A mix of loamy garden soil, peat, and perlite in equal parts can create an ideal environment for this plant.
RepottingEskimo Viburnum typically doesn't require frequent repotting. It should be repotted every 3 to 4 years or when it has outgrown its current container, which is less common for shrubs planted in the ground.
Humidity & MistingEskimo Viburnum prefers moderate humidity levels but is adaptable to a range of conditions. There is no specific humidity requirement, but it should not be too low for prolonged periods.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, not direct; water when topsoil is dry.
Outdoor
Plant in well-drained soil, partial to full sun, mulch root area.
Hardiness zone
6-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of the Eskimo Viburnum begins with seed germination which occurs in favorable conditions of warm temperatures and moist soil, typically in spring or early summer. Following germination, seedlings emerge and grow into juvenile plants, developing a root system, stems, and foliage over the course of the first growing season. The plant then enters a vegetative stage where it focuses on growth, increasing in size and producing larger leaves, as well as establishing a more robust root system. After reaching maturity, which can take several years, the Eskimo Viburnum starts producing flowers, usually in late spring, with its characteristic creamy-white clusters that are known for their fragrance and spherical shape. Following pollination, these flowers develop into fruit, small red to black berries, which can attract birds and other wildlife; the seeds within these berries can then be dispersed, completing the reproductive cycle. The Eskimo Viburnum is a perennial and will continue to grow and repeat the flowering and fruiting process annually, typically with increased vigor each year, until it reaches the end of its lifespan.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The most popular method of propagation for the Viburnum 'Eskimo', commonly known as Eskimo Viburnum, is through softwood cuttings. This is typically done during the late spring to early summer when new growth is still tender and pliable. To propagate, gardeners select healthy, non-flowering shoots and cut a section about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long, making sure each cutting has at least two or three sets of leaves. The bottom set of leaves is removed, and the cut end is dipped into rooting hormone to encourage root development. The prepared cutting is then inserted into a pot filled with a mix of peat and perlite or a similar well-draining propagation medium. The pot should be kept moist and placed in indirect light until roots have developed, usually within 6 to 8 weeks. Once the cutting has rooted, it can be transplanted into a larger pot or directly into the garden.
