|
'Mohawk'
The U.S. National Arboretum presents Viburnum x burkwoodii 'Mohawk', a Burkwood viburnum cultivar of distinction. Glossy, dark red flower buds are ornamental for several weeks before opening in late April to reveal waxy white flowers. The strong, spicy, clove fragrance of the flowers is "icing on the cake." The dark green leaves of this deciduous shrub turn a brilliant orange-red in autumn. Resistance to bacterial leaf spot and powdery mildew round out the checklist of outstanding qualities. Recognition: The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Gold Medal Plant Award, 1993.
|
'Mohawk' Burkwood Viburnum | |
Botanical Name: | Viburnum x
burkwoodii Burk. & Skip. 'Mohawk' (NA 28181; PI 315889) |
Family: | Caprifoliaceae |
Hardiness: | U.S.D.A. Zones 5b - 8 |
Development: | A backcross of Viburnum x burkwoodii to V. carlesii was made in 1953 by Dr. Donald Egolf. Seed produced from this cross was embryo-cultured to expedite seedling production. The cultivar 'Mohawk' was selected from this population in 1960 and released in 1966. |
Significance: | 'Mohawk' is distinguished from related cultivars by abundant clusters of glossy, dark red flower buds that are ornamental for several weeks prior to full bloom. The waxy white flowers with red blotches on the reverse side of the petals have a strong, spicy, clove fragrance. 'Mohawk' has a fairly compact growth habit and foliage resistant to bacterial leaf spot and powdery mildew. |
Description: |
Height and width: 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Habit: Deciduous shrub with spreading branches. Foliage: Glossy, dark green leaves turn a brilliant orange-red in autumn. The foliage is highly tolerant to bacterial leaf spot and powdery mildew. Flowers: Abundant inflorescences. Brilliant, glossy red flower buds appear several weeks before the flowers begin to open in late April, extending the effective ornamental period by several weeks. The red of the flower buds contrasts well with the white of the opened flowers and is retained on the reverse of the flower. Flowers have a strong, spicy, clove fragrance. Fruit: A black drupe. |
Culture: | 'Mohawk' is readily cultivated under diverse climatic and soil conditions. It grows well in many exposures and soils, but performs best in sun, or in light shade in more southern areas, with moderate moisture and well-drained soils. |
Propagation: | Roots easily from semi-hardwood cuttings under mist, 1000 ppm IBA, in 4-6 weeks. |
Landscape Use: | Specimen plant, massed group, shrub border, good background shrub for the perennial border or planted near public areas where the spicy fragrance can be fully appreciated. |
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
URL = ../Newintro/mohawk.html