VIBURNUM CASSINOIDES / WITHEROD

VIBURNUM CASSINOIDES / WILD RAFFLESIA

A Native Shrub with Fragrant Flowers and Seasonal Interest

Viburnum cassinoides, commonly known as Wild Rafflesia or Witherod Viburnum, is a native deciduous shrub admired for its clusters of creamy white flowers, blue-black berries, and attractive foliage. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soils, Wild Rafflesia is ideal for naturalized landscapes, pollinator gardens, and wildlife-friendly plantings. Its seasonal blooms, berries, and fall color make it a versatile native shrub.

Why Choose Wild Rafflesia?

Fragrant Flowers: Clusters of creamy white blooms appear in late spring to early summer.
Edible Berries: Blue-black berries provide food for birds in late summer and fall.
Wildlife Friendly: Flowers attract pollinators, and berries support birds and small mammals.
Low Maintenance & Hardy: Resilient and well-suited to native landscapes and mixed plantings.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Medium green leaves turning yellow to red in fall.
Flower Color: Creamy white flower clusters in late spring to early summer.
Fruit: Blue-black berries in late summer to fall.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 3–6 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 3–7.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soils; tolerates clay, loam, or sandy soils.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 3–6 feet tall, 3–5 feet wide.
Growth Habit: Upright, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–7.
Flowering/Fruiting: Flowers in late spring to early summer; berries in late summer to fall.
Fall Interest: Leaves turn yellow to red; berries add visual interest.

Ideal Uses:

Pollinator Gardens: Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Wildlife Plantings: Provides berries and cover for birds and small mammals.
Naturalized Landscapes: Perfect for woodland edges, meadows, and native gardens.
Mixed Borders & Shrub Beds: Adds summer blooms, fruit, and fall color to perennial and shrub plantings.

Wild Rafflesia is a hardy and ecologically valuable native shrub. Its fragrant flowers, wildlife benefits, and seasonal interest make it an excellent choice for naturalized landscapes, pollinator gardens, and wildlife-friendly plantings.