Common Names: Viburnum 'Eskimo'

Family Name: Caprifoliaceae

Attributes: Viburnum 'Eskimo' is a viburnum cultivar that was registered and released into commerce by The United States National Arboretum in 1981. It is particularly noted for its tubular flowers in snowball inflorescences (from parent V. carlcephalum Cayuga’) and its semi-evergreen foliage in warm winter climates (from parent V. utile). This is a compact shrub that typically matures to 4-5’ tall and as wide. Showy white flowers bloom profusely in snowball inflorescences (to 4” diameter) in May. Flowers give way to fruits (drupes) that mature in late summer to red then black. Ovate, leathery, glossy dark green leaves (to 4” long) turn attractive shades of yellow, orange and red in fall. Pennyslvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal Plant Award in 1993. ‘Eskimo’ is sometimes commonly called service viburnum.

General Information: Viburnum 'Eskimo' - The U.S. National Arboretum introduction, Viburnum 'Eskimo', established a landmark in the breeding and development of elite viburnum cultivars. A compact, slow-growing shrub, 'Eskimo' is covered with white "snowballs" of tubular flowers in early May. Handsome, dark green, semi-evergreen foliage is resistant to bacterial leaf spot. This is a perfect plant for the home or the public garden! is a selection from an original cross of V. x carlcephalum 'Cayuga' and V. utile. Eskimo viburnum was named and released by the US National Arboretum in 1981. Growing wider (10') than tall (6-7') this deciduous shrub of compact statue has yellow, red, orange fall color and coral fruit. Of course, the reason one grows this plant is for its fabulous dense creamy white flowers. The great mass of blooms in May are eye-catching both in the landscape and in the container at the garden center. The late blooming habit ensures the plant will be in bloom during peak season of Spring sales and in the landscape freezing damage common to some viburnums in Kentucky is avoided. While tolerant of diverse conditions, the USNA states that it "grows best in full sun to partial shade in a heavy loam with adequate moisture". Semi-hardwood cuttings, treated with 1000 ppm IBA, root in 4 weeks and it can be readily grown-on in containers.

Plant Care: Average water needs, water regularly, do not over water

Size: 4 to 5 ft tall and 4 to 5 ft wide

Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Long Blooming: Yes

Flower Color: White

Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Soil Condition: Average to rich, well drained soil

Hardiness Zones: USDA ZONES 6 to 8

Deer Resistant: Somewhat

Butterfly Attractant: Yes

Heat & Humidity Tolerant: Yes

Drought Tolerant: Once established, yes

Good as cut flower: No