Mini Man viburnum – the accidental shrub
Call it chance or destiny, the plant world is a better place with Mini Man™ viburnum. This round, compact flowering descendent of the twelve foot Manchurian Vvburnum (V. burejaecticum) was accidentally discovered by Ft. Collins Wholesale Nursery propagator Scott Skogerboe in 1999. With an invitation to visit a nursery in Montana, he spotted just one exact, but smaller version of a V. burejaecticum shrub growing in a fifty-foot hedgerow of tall Manchurians at Valley Nursery in Helena. That’s a long way from its native land of northern China and Russia! Over sixty years ago early horticulturists from the United States Department of Agriculture traveled to regions of the world with growing conditions similar to our area in search of plants that might grow equally as well here. So, Manchurian viburnums made their way to the United States via Canada and then on to the Cheyenne Horticultural Field Station. They grew at the Cheyenne Station for many years, but only a small handful of nurserymen took seeds and cuttings from V. burejaecticum to propagate, distribute and sell, one being Clayton Berg in Helena. Fortunately for gardeners, with Scott’s keen eye a single Manchurian seedling matured to the delightful, low-maintenance dense form that is called Mini Man™ dwarf viburnum, and a 2016 Plant Select® selection.
Mini Man™ produces pretty creamy-white flower clusters that bloom for several weeks each spring. Red changing to blue-black berries follow the flowers which complement the medium-green, textured leaves which often turn maroon in the fall. It’s no accident that Mini Man™ is perfect for smaller gardens, around patio spaces or even as seasonal container plants. Plant Mini Man™ in roomier gardens, as foundation plantings or mixed throughout the perennial border. Mini Man™ is deer resistant, cold hardy and will maintain its neat and round growth form until it reaches four to six feet tall and wide.
MINI MAN™ dwarf Manchurian viburnum (Viburnum burejaeticum ‘PO17S’)
Shrub
Size: 4-6′ tall x 4-6′ wide
Blooms: White, early to mid-May
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Moderate to Dry
Hardiness: USDA zones 3-9
Culture: Loamy soil
Deer resistant
Pairs well with:
• WINDWALKER® royal red salvia
• Seven Son Flower
• WINDWALKER® big bluestem
Thanks to Betty Cahill, Denver area gardener and writer for this piece
Ms. Cahill: I have been unable to locate this shrub. Any suggestions on who may carry it?
Most garden centers in CO carry this wonderful gem of a viburnum. I know there were plenty grown by Plant Select® Propagators this year. Try calling one of the Retail Members to mail you one (or more) if you don’t find one close enough to your location. Explore link- http://plantselect.org/where-to-buy/retailers/
nicks garden center, aurora, co
Are the flowers fragrant and do the leaves have fall color?
The flowers are not as fragrant as other viburnums, but it does attract bees. For fall color there is a slight change from green to a subtle purple/reddish color. It’s a great plant!