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'Eskimo'
The U.S. National Arboretum introduction, Viburnum 'Eskimo', established a landmark in the breeding and development of elite viburnum cultivars. A compact, slow-growing shrub, 'Eskimo' is covered with white "snowballs" of tubular flowers in early May. Handsome, dark green, semi-evergreen foliage is resistant to bacterial leaf spot. This is a perfect plant for the home or the public garden! Recognition: The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal Plant Award, 1992.
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'Eskimo' Viburnum | |
Botanical Name: | Viburnum 'Eskimo' (NA 43148; PI 445780) |
Family: | Caprifoliaceae |
Hardiness: | U.S.D.A. Zones 6 - 8 |
Development: | V. x carlcephalum 'Cayuga' was crossed with V. utile in 1962. A selection from this cross was self-pollinated in 1967. From this seedling population with 3-species parentage, a plant was selected for evaluation in 1975, named and released in 1981 as 'Eskimo'. |
Significance: | 'Eskimo' establishes a landmark in the development of elite viburnum cultivars. It is the first selection that combines the tubular flower type in a snowball inflorescence from V. 'Cayuga' with the dwarf growth habit and semi-evergreen foliage of V. utile. |
Description: |
Height and width: 4-5 feet tall and wide. Habit: Deciduous to semi-evergreen, slow-growing, compact shrub. Foliage: Leathery, glossy, dark green, semi-evergreen leaves; highly tolerant to bacterial leaf spot. Flowers: Abundant, pure white, 3-4 inch snowball inflorescences of tubular white flowers in early May. Fruit: A drupe. Fruits ripen in August to a dull red and then to black. |
Culture: | 'Eskimo' is readily cultivated under diverse climatic and soil conditions, but grows best in full sun to partial shade in a heavy loam with an adequate moisture supply. |
Propagation: | Roots easily from semi-hardwood cuttings under mist, 1000 ppm IBA, in 4 weeks. |
Landscape Use: | Specimen plant, hedge, massed group, shrub border. Slow-growing, compact growth habit makes it ideal for the home landscape. Excellent in containers. |
Availability: | Readily available from mail-order firms and retail and wholesale nurseries. |
U.S. National Arboretum Plant Introduction Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit U.S. National Arboretum, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 3501 New York Ave., N.E., Washington, DC 20002 |
Last Updated January 14, 2002
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