Sandankwa Viburnum
Botanical Name: viburnum-suspensum
Family: Adoxaceae
Origin: East Asia (Japan—Ryukyu/Okinawa—and Taiwan)
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub
Overview
A superb, glossy-leaf screening shrub for Adelaide and coastal South Australia, Sandankwa Viburnum forms a dense, tidy hedge that clips beautifully. Pink-tinged buds open to white flower clusters with a soft, sweet fragrance in late winter–spring (and again lightly in summer), followed by red berries ripening to black that birds enjoy. Tough, heat- and wind-tolerant once established, it stays fresh and green year-round.
Key Features
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Mature Size: 2–3 m H × 2–3 m W (easily kept 1.8–2.5 m with pruning)
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Growth Rate: 40-70 cm per year under good conditions
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Foliage: Large, leathery, glossy deep-green leaves; naturally dense, screening habit
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Flowers: Pink-tinged white clusters, mainly late winter–spring, with sporadic summer bloom; light, sweet fragrance
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Seasonal Interest: Evergreen backbone, fragrant winter–spring bloom, red→black berries for extra colour
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Wildlife Value: Good for pollinators (bees & beneficials); berries may feed birds; dense cover for small birds
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Tolerance: Drought & heat tolerant once established; wind & coastal hardy; light frost tolerant (protect from hard frosts); copes with alkaline/limestone soils; avoid waterlogging
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Planting Density: Hedge: 1 plant per metre (0.6–0.8 m for very tight screens); Specimen: 1.5–2 m apart
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Pet Friendly: Generally non-toxic; berries/leaves may cause mild tummy upset if eaten — discourage chewing
Where It Works Best
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Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (more sun = denser hedge & heavier flowering)
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Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or improved clay; add organic matter; mulch to keep roots cool
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Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer (more in heatwaves); monthly in winter if dry
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Maintenance: Tip-prune after flowering to keep compact and encourage new flushes; clip 3–6×/yr for a formal hedge; slow-release feed in early spring; refresh mulch annually
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Lifespan: 20-30+ years
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Climate Zones: Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
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Soil pH: Slightly acidic to mildly alkaline
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Refined privacy hedges and boundary screens with year-round gloss
- Entry and driveway structure; pairs well with olives, westringia and grasses
- Coastal gardens where wind and salt rule out fussier shrubs
Why You Will Love It
A fast, glossy evergreen that brings real fragrance in late winter–spring, clips to a perfect hedge and shrugs off Adelaide heat and coastal wind. Add the bird-friendly berries and you’ve got a low-fuss screen with premium finish all year.
