Tea viburnum (Viburnum setigerum)

Tea viburnum

Tea viburnum is a perennial shrub with a vase-like structure that produces clusters of white-yellow flowers. Despite being the smallest viburnum variety, it produces the most fruit. The monks on Mount Omei in China use its oblanceolate leaves to make tea.

Scientific classification

Species

Tea viburnum (Viburnum setigerum)

Honeysuckles, moschatels and allies

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Perennial

Lifespan

Red, Purple, Blue, Green

Leaf Color

Yellow, Red, Orange

Fruit Color

White

Flower Color

Semi-evergreen

Leaf type

5 - 32 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Spring

Growth Season

Slow

Growth Rate

Weed Control

Tea viburnum is an ornamental shrub that provides edible berries and tea leaves. It is rarely considered invasive, but it has become troublesome in boggy areas in Virginia, New York, and New Jersey.

How to Control It

Physical removal of unwanted tea viburnum plants shouldn't be too challenging. The root system doesn't go very deep and the plant grows slowly. Cut the shrub down and dig out the roots. To stop the spread of tea viburnum, remove the plant before fruits are formed. Wildlife is very attracted to the berries and might help spread tea viburnum seeds into other areas.

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Quickly Identify Tea viburnum

Vase-shaped structure reaching 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 meters) tall and spreading 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters) wide.

Star-like white flowers in 1-2 inch (2.5-5 cm) flat-topped cymes blooming in late spring.

Oval drupes changing from orange-yellow to vibrant red, persisting until first frosts.

Leaves with gray-green to blue-green color, pointed tips, and unique vein pattern.

Smooth gray stem with lenticels, green buds with red edges and 3-5 scales.

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Care Guide for Tea viburnum

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

Full sun

Sunlight

5 - 32 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Garden Soil

Soil Type

Water: Adapted to moderate moisture, tea viburnum tolerates low water availability and thrives with consistent yet moderate watering every 1-2 weeks. As an outdoor plant in temperate zones, it maximizes water uptake during seasonal rainfall, aligning its growth cycle to these patterns.

Fertilize: Applying organic fertilizer enhances soil structure, organic matter, and fertility, crucial for tea viburnum's growth. Basal fertilizer should be used during transplanting, with biweekly applications in the growth stage. Fertilization is vital before dormancy and for transplants, starting with nitrogen and transitioning to phosphorus for flowering.

Pruning: Light pruning of tea viburnum can be done year-round to remove dead parts. Shaping occurs in late winter or early spring, cutting only 1/3 of intermingled branches for borders. Prune post-flowering but pre-fruit set, avoiding frost damage by not pruning during severe cold.

Propagation: For optimal growth of tea viburnum, avoid starting from seeds, as it may take 12-18 months. Instead, use soft cuttings with 2 nodes. Combine 1/3 organic matter with 2/3 soil, plant cuttings, press soil gently, and water immediately to create a watering pit after settling.

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Weed Control

Quickly Identify Tea viburnum

Care Guide for Tea viburnum

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