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Viburnum carlesii

Korean Spice Viburnum · Koreanspice Viburnum

Family ViburnaceaeGenus Viburnum

A tall rounded shrub covered in domed white flower clusters, in a planted bed with a low garden label at its foot.
The whole plantRüdiger Wölk This photo was taken by Rüdiger Wölk. Please credit this photo Rüdiger Wölk, Münster. View all photos (large page) of Rüdiger Wölk I would also appreciate an email to rudiger.wolk@gmail.com with details of use. Für Hinweise auf Veröffentlichungen (rudiger.wolk@gmail.com) oder Belegexemplare bin ich Ihnen dankbar.CC BY-SA 2.5

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
ShrubExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
shrubPlants of the World Online
Height
4-6 ft1.2-1.8 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
4-6 ft1.2-1.8 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Pink, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
China Southeast, Japan, KoreaGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
4-7Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good DrainageExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Korean spice viburnum has round clusters of red buds that open into strongly scented pale pink flowers in late spring. It comes from Korea and Japan's Tsushima Island and has gone wild in Ohio. Wikipedia: Viburnum carlesii

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around July 9, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 8, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 91 days.

100% germination in 56–91 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Viburnum p. 85Public domain
Show the original text
Viburnum (Caprifoliaceae). All seeds were WC for 7 d first. V. carlesi germ. 40-70(80% in 9-14 w) and 70D-40-70D(100% in 8-13 w). The seedlings developed their cotyledons at 40 in 1-3 w after germination.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Viburnum p. 85. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 30, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 29, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 98 days.

80% germination in 63–98 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Viburnum p. 85Public domain
Show the original text
Viburnum (Caprifoliaceae). All seeds were WC for 7 d first. V. carlesi germ. 40-70(80% in 9-14 w) and 70D-40-70D(100% in 8-13 w). The seedlings developed their cotyledons at 40 in 1-3 w after germination.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Viburnum p. 85. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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