Viburnum davidii Angustifolium

Viburnum davidii 'Angustifolium' is a variety of David's viburnum with a compact habit and delicate foliage, well-suited for small gardens and container gardening. Forming a thick ground cover cushion, the branches are covered with glossy green evergreen foliage, beautifully enhanced by the red tones of the petioles and young shoots. The spring flowers, with limited ornamental value, are slightly fragrant and give way to clusters of black to blue fruits with red peduncles. The overall effect creates a beautiful splash of colour throughout the winter. This viburnum is undoubtedly one of the most attractive ground covers, especially in shade. Provide it with a well-drained, preferably non-calcareous soil that remains moist.

Native to Asia and western China, David's viburnum, also known as cushion viburnum, is a dwarf shrub with horizontally spreading branches. This plant, formerly classified among the Caprifoliaceae, now belongs to the Adoxaceae family, just like elderberries. It is a dioecious species, consisting of male or female plants, with only the female plants bearing fruits in the presence of male plants. The 'Angustifolium' cultivar is distinguished from the species by its small leaves and compact habit. This slow-growing shrub forms a dome reaching 80cm (31.5in) in height and 1.2m (4ft) in width, spreading up to 1.8m (6ft) depending on the available space. The persistent foliage is perhaps the main asset of this viburnum: its tough, ovate leaves are a beautiful dark green with a glossy finish, and they have three veins that meet on a red petiole. The unattractive flowering, from April to May depending on the climate, consists of flat white clusters measuring 5 to 7 centimetres (2 - 2.8 inches) in diameter arranged at the ends of the branches. The subsequent fruiting is quite unique and persists on the branches until at least October. The small steel-blue fruits are not edible. The bark of this shrub is yellowish-grey.

The hardiness of Viburnum davidii 'Angustifolium' (maximum -15°C) needs to be observed. Where possible, it thrives in shady or partially shady locations, although it tolerates sunlight. It prefers acidic or sandy soils, similar to camellias and rhododendrons. Several shrubs should be planted together for fruiting to occur. It can be used as a standalone specimen or in mass plantings; its foliage, with its strong presence, highlights the accompanying blooms. It can be paired, for example, with Japanese spindle trees, hydrangeas, variegated dogwoods, Andromedas, or Japanese maples, which all appreciate the same growing conditions. This variety adapts very well to container gardening for decorating terraces or balconies.