Viburnum obovatum, commonly known as Walter's Viburnum, is a native shrub to Florida that offers both ecological and ornamental benefits.
 
General Characteristics:
Size: Typically grows 10-15 feet tall and wide, with some specimens reaching up to 30 feet. 
Growth Habit: Fast-growing with a dense, rounded form.
Leaves: Deciduous, with new leaves emerging shortly after the old ones fall.
Flowers: Produces white blooms in late winter to early spring.
Fruits: Fruits ripen to red and eventually turn black; consumed by birds and small mammals.
 
Landscape Uses:
Walter's Viburnum is versatile in landscaping:
Specimen Plant: Serves as an attractive focal point.
Hedge or Screen: Its dense growth makes it suitable for privacy screens.
Thicket Formation: Can form thickets if left unpruned, providing wildlife habitat.
Pruning: Can be sheared or pruned into a tree form. 
 
Wildlife Benefits:
Pollinators: Attracts various pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
Birds and Mammals: Fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals.
Butterfly Host: Larval host for the spring azure butterfly (Celastrina ladon).
 
Cultural Requirements:
Light: Thrives in full sun to part shade.
Moisture: Prefers moist environments but can tolerate periods of dryness.
Soil: Adaptable to various soil types, including humus and sand.
Salt Tolerance: Low tolerance to saltwater flooding and salt spray.
 
Propagation:
Cuttings: Easily propagated from cuttings.
Seeds: Require scarification and may take several years to germinate. 
 
Considerations:
While Walter's Viburnum is beneficial for wildlife and adds aesthetic value to landscapes, it's important to note that it is not salt-tolerant. Therefore, it may not be suitable for coastal areas exposed to saltwater or salty winds.
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Walter’s Viburnum Cultivars: ‘Mrs. Schiller’s Delight’ vs. ‘Select’
Viburnum obovatum is a versatile, Florida-native shrub that supports pollinators and birds with its nectar-rich flowers and persistent fruit. Two standout cultivars, ‘Mrs. Schiller’s Delight’ and ‘Select’, offer unique forms for different landscape needs:
•‘Mrs. Schiller’s Delight’ is a compact, dwarf cultivar that typically grows 2–4 feet tall and wide. It’s prized for its dense, rounded form and profuse spring bloom of small white flowers. Ideal for low hedges, foundation plantings, or massing in small gardens, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to pruning.
•‘Select’ is a larger, more vigorous cultivar that can reach 10–12 feet tall and wide if left unpruned. It maintains a naturally upright, vase-shaped habit and produces an abundance of flowers in spring. ‘Select’ is well-suited for screening, wildlife hedges, or naturalistic plantings where a more robust native shrub is desired.
Both cultivars are evergreen in North Florida and attract pollinators and birds. Choose ‘Mrs. Schiller’s Delight’ for tidy, low-maintenance plantings, or ‘Select’ for a fuller, more naturalistic presence in the landscape.