Viburnum awabuki - Awabuki viburnum

Approximately 150 species of Viburnum are known from North America, Europe, Asia and northern Africa. This is a large shrub from Asia that can be trimmed as a small tree. Maximum size is reported to be twenty feet tall and equally wide. It has large, shiny evergreen leaves. Flowers are small and inconspicuous but reportedly fragrant. Fruits are red. Its ability to grow in soils with high concentrations of heavy metals is reported from China.

This shrub is available in nurseries but is not common in northeast Florida landscapes. Since it is usually grown as a shrub, it is best used on large properties. With a little pruning, it could make an attractive small tree for smaller properties. This plant has been confused in literture with Viburnum odoratissimum, another large shrub with smaller, duller leaves and fruit.that turns from red to black as it matures.