Korean Spice
Common Names: Korean Spice, Viburnum, fragrant, dwarf
Latin Name: Viburnum carlesii 'Compactum'
General Info
- Blooms in April.
- Flowers start as pink buds and change to white blooms.
- Has berries in the fall (if pollinated though, not self pollinated). Berries
are insignificant and nothing special. It is very difficult to get berries.
- One problem you may experience in caring for this bush is leaf curl (at the
tips of branches). The culprit will most likely be aphids. If you can manage
to catch the little buggers in action, you can spray them with the organic
herbicide Neem oil. But aphids can come and go very quickly, leaving a
damaged leaf behind. Luckily, leaf curl, if restricted to just a relatively
small portion of the entire plant, does no long-term harm. It is problematic
only on an aesthetic level, marring the appearance of the foliage during that
summer and fall. Prune off the affected branch tips and dispose of them
properly, and the plant will be none the worse for it.
- Very aromatic.
Soil Requirements
- Average, medium, well-drained soil.
- soil pH on the acidic side.
Water Requirements
Fertilization
- Didn't find much info for fertilizer, but this for viburnums in general:
Viburnums appreciate an annual application of a balanced fertilizer in
spring. A balanced fertilizer has an equal ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium, which should read 10-10-10 on the label. The nitrogen helps
viburnums grow lush foliage, while the phosphorus encourages healthy root,
stem, flower and fruit growth. Potassium helps viburnums and other plants
absorb those nutrients. If using granular fertilizer, sprinkle the granules
on the dirt above the roots, then water to flush the fertilizer through the
soil.
Pruning
- Prune immediately after flowering since flower buds form in summer for the
following year.
- Just cut the tips to promote branching and a bushier look. In addition,
remove any dead branches and/or branches rubbing against each other.
Seasonal View
Spring
- Fertilize early before new growth.
- Blooms around April
- Prune immediately after flowering, before new buds form.
Fall
- If it was pollinated successfully, will have some minor uninteresting berries.
Interesting Sources