Sweet Viburnum / Fragrant Viburnum
Botanical Name: viburnum-odoratissimum
Family: Adoxaceae
Origin: East & Southeast Asia
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub (can be trained as small tree)
Overview
Viburnum odoratissimum is Adelaide’s go-to for a fast, lush, fragrant screen. Big, glossy leaves create instant privacy, while sweetly scented white flower clusters in spring fill the garden with perfume and invite pollinators. Heat, coastal wind and alkaline (limestone) soils are no problem once established—perfect for hedges you can keep anywhere from 2–3 m.
Key Features
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Mature Size: 3–6 m H × 2.5–4 m W (easily kept 2–3 m with clipping)
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Growth Rate: 50-80 cm per year under good conditions
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Foliage: Large, glossy deep-green leaves on sturdy, upright stems
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Flowers: White, sweetly perfumed clusters mainly spring (occasional summer encore)
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Seasonal Interest: Evergreen backbone; spring fragrance; occasional red-to-black berries for contrast
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Wildlife Value: Good for pollinators (bees & beneficials); berries may feed birds; dense nesting cover
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Tolerance: Drought & heat tolerant once established; wind & coastal hardy; light–moderate frost tolerant; copes with alkaline/limestone soils; avoid prolonged waterlogging
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Planting Density: Hedge: 1 plant per metre (0.7 m for ultra-tight screen); Specimen: 1.5–2 m apart
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Pet Friendly: Yes — generally non-toxic (ingestion of berries/leaves may cause mild tummy upset)
Where It Works Best
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Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (more sun = denser hedge & more flowers)
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Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or improved clay; 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: Clip 3–6×/yr for a tight hedge; tip-prune after flowering to encourage density; feed in early spring with slow-release fertiliser; 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
- Premium privacy hedges for boundaries and along driveways
- Fragrant entries and outdoor rooms
- Mix with westringia, olives and grasses for a modern Mediterranean palette
Why You Will Love It
A fast, glossy, evergreen screen that smells amazing in spring and thrives in Adelaide’s heat and coastal conditions. Easy to clip to size, wildlife-friendly in bloom, and reliably neat year-round.
