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Viburnum dilatatum

Linden Arrowwood · Linden Viburnum

Family ViburnaceaeGenus Viburnum

A wide shrub covered in flat cream flower clusters held above pairs of glossy ribbed leaves, against a blue sky.
The whole plantJames SteakleyCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

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

The plant

Habit
ShrubExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
shrub or treePlants of the World Online
Height
8-15 ft2.4-4.6 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
6-8 ft1.8-2.4 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Cream/Tan, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Japan, Korea, TaiwanGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
5-8Extension 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

  • Linden viburnum is grown for mass plantings for its white flower clusters, but in parts of the mid-Atlantic United States it is strongly advised against because it spreads invasively. In traditional Chinese medicine its berries, leaves and stems are made into a soup for snake bites. Wikipedia: Viburnum dilatatum

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 26, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 25, 2025.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    5 germinated in this phase.

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  7. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  8. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  9. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 2 years from start to step 9. Germination happens during step 9, in 21 days.

80% germination in 21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Viburnum p. 228Public domain
Show the original text
Viburnum (Caprlfollaceae). Viburnums divide into two groups. The first group germ. in a 40-70 pattern. The cotyledons develop within a week or two after germination. This group is adapted to germination in spring and immediate leaf development and growth. The second group germ. in a 40-70-40 pattern with extension into a 40-70-40-70-40 pattern. Germination takes place in a cycle at 40. The seedlings must be kept at 40 for two to three months after radicle development is complete in order for the cotyledons to develop properly on shifting to 70. Puncturing. the seed coat had no effect in three species. All seed was WC for 1-2 w. Germination was stimulated by GA-3 in V. dilatatum seed collected in early December and DS 6m at 70 in the WC state germ. 70-40-70-40-70(71% in 10-14 w) and 40-70-40(5%)-70-40-70-40(80% in 3rd w). After radicle development was complete (3 m), the seedlings were shifted to 40 and samples periodically shifted to 70. Only after 4 m at 40 did the cotyledons develop.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Viburnum p. 228. 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, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around July 7, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on July 6, 2025.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  6. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  7. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 18 months from start to step 7. Germination happens during step 7, in 98 days.

71% germination in 70–98 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Viburnum p. 228Public domain
Show the original text
Viburnum (Caprlfollaceae). Viburnums divide into two groups. The first group germ. in a 40-70 pattern. The cotyledons develop within a week or two after germination. This group is adapted to germination in spring and immediate leaf development and growth. The second group germ. in a 40-70-40 pattern with extension into a 40-70-40-70-40 pattern. Germination takes place in a cycle at 40. The seedlings must be kept at 40 for two to three months after radicle development is complete in order for the cotyledons to develop properly on shifting to 70. Puncturing. the seed coat had no effect in three species. All seed was WC for 1-2 w. Germination was stimulated by GA-3 in V. dilatatum seed collected in early December and DS 6m at 70 in the WC state germ. 70-40-70-40-70(71% in 10-14 w) and 40-70-40(5%)-70-40-70-40(80% in 3rd w). After radicle development was complete (3 m), the seedlings were shifted to 40 and samples periodically shifted to 70. Only after 4 m at 40 did the cotyledons develop.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Viburnum p. 228. 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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