SMVCB

Viburnum

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Spiro' (Spice Girl) and Viburnum carlesii

Summary: The natural plant height of 'SMVCB' is shorter than both reference varieties. The axillary buds of 'SMVCB' are pink whereas those of the reference varieties are reddish brown. The leaf blade of 'SMVCB' is longer and wider than both reference varieties. 'SMVCB' flowers earlier than both reference varieties.

Description:

PLANT: shrub type, bushy growth habit, medium to dense branching
SHOOT: grey brown, medium thickness, medium density of pubescence, round in cross-section, smooth to rough texture of bark, no glaucosity, medium number of lenticels, no thorns or spines

LEAF: simple type, opposite arrangement on stem, weak to medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration on new leaves in spring, straight longitudinal axis, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of petiole
LEAF BLADE: ovate shape, acute apex, weakly cordate to obtuse base, dentate margin, no lobing, no variegation, absent to very weak rugosity, absent to very weak waviness of margin
LEAF BLADE (UPPER SIDE): medium to dense pubescence, weak glossiness, medium green
LEAF BLADE (LOWER SIDE): medium density of pubescence, light green, absent to very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of veins

FLOWER BUD: medium size, pink, clavate shape, rounded apex, absent or very sparse pubescence
INFLORESCENCE: compound cyme type
COROLLA: salverform shape, white (RHS NN155C) on inner and outer sides with blue pink (RHS 62A) at margin and within throat, strong fragrance

FRUIT: drupe type, black

Origin & Breeding History: 'SMVCB' was bred and developed by the breeder, Timothy D. Wood, at Spring Meadow Nursery, Inc. in Grand Haven, Michigan, USA. It originated from an open pollination that occurred in the summer of 2006 between the female parent, Viburnum carlesii variety 'Compactum' and an unnamed variety as the male parent. 'SMVCB' was selected in the spring of 2009 based on plant growth habit, size of flower heads and good production characteristics. Vegetative reproduction of 'SMVCB' was first conducted by softwood cuttings in June of 2009 in Grand Haven, Michigan, USA.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial of 'SMVCB' was conducted as an outdoor container trial in the spring of 2015 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. It included a total of 10 plants of the candidate variety and 8 plants each of the reference varieties. All plants were grown from rooted cuttings transplanted into 13 litre containers and were overwintered in a polyhouse. The trial was arranged in rows with 1 metre spacing between plants. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants, or parts of plants, of the candidate variety, and 8 plants, or 10 parts of plants, of the reference varieties. The bud characteristics were observed on May 13, 2015 while the plant and flower characteristics were observed on May 26, 2015. All colour determinations were made using the 2007 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'SMVCB' with reference varieties 'Spiro' and Viburnum carlesii

Natural plant height (cm)

Flower bud (RHS)

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Flowering (date)

Click on image for larger view

Viburnum: 'SMVCB' (left) with reference varieties 'Spiro' (centre) and Viburnum carlesii (right)

Click on image for larger view

Viburnum: 'SMVCB' (left) with reference varieties 'Spiro' (centre) and Viburnum carlesii (right)

Click on image for larger view

Viburnum: 'SMVCB' (left) with reference varieties 'Spiro' (centre) and Viburnum carlesii (right)