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A Visit to Cistus Nursery

I rarely go to nurseries anymore since I work part-time at one and another reason being that I don't have much room for additional plants. When a garden fanatic runs out of room, the brain goes into overdrive, dreaming up ingenious ways to incorporate more plants. And another thing happens - a burning desire to obtain rare and unique plants. I've been moving plants around, a tricky process that has a domino effect. A plant is unhappy - it is getting too much shade or perhaps too much sun. There is a plant that did not get as large as you thought it would or it is just a slow grower and now it is hopelessly hidden behind a taller plant. Sometimes a plant is just a dud for reasons unknown (Rhododendron 'Golden Gate' anyone?). I find the plant in question a better home, but it means that another plant will have to be moved. And the merry-go-round continues to turn... However, for those plants that are to be discarded, a space opens up for a new one! I decided to move a Mou...
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Shasta Viburnum



One of my favorite blooming shrubs in spring is the Shasta Virburnum (aka Doublefile Virburnum) (Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum). I'll never forget the first time I saw one. We drove to Wilkerson Mill Gardens, a nursery near Atlanta, to buy hydrangeas and there was one blooming in a field in the distance. It was magnificent and of course I had to have one.

It doesn't have the space it needs in our garden to attain the beauty of the one I saw at the nursery but it always blooms nicely. It was getting so large that it was reaching up into the limbs of the trees growing near it. I reluctantly decided to prune it last year and I'm afraid that I probably ruined the tiered effect that it normally has. It is still a very striking shrub. Beautiful berries appear later in the summer and are quickly devoured by the birds.

This particular viburnum was developed by Dr. Donald Egolf in the 1960s at the U.S. National Arboretum. He crossed an unnamed seedling with 'Mariesii', a popular variety still often found in nurseries, and it was finally released in 1979. 

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  1. Chandramouli SApril 10, 2009 at 9:45 PM

    That must have been named Shasta Vivacious! How charming and vigorous! They're full of life! Great photos, Phillip!

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  2. D'RimbaApril 10, 2009 at 10:13 PM

    Nice flower, Thanks for your support, do come again pleaseeee

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  3. LesApril 11, 2009 at 4:10 AM

    You are confusing me. When I see these blooms I think it must be May already. I love these too, clean and bright.

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  4. F CameronApril 11, 2009 at 4:32 AM

    That's a real beauty! I love viburnum and grew several varieties at a previous house where I had enough shade. I tried one here, but it died from the transplant.

    Cameron

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  5. Monica the Garden FaerieApril 11, 2009 at 5:07 AM

    Viburnums are probably my favorite shrub species as there are so many different kinds, and they have nice flowers, fragrance, and berries.

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  6. sweetbayApril 11, 2009 at 7:07 AM

    Wow -- lovely!!

    I have the species and will have to try 'Shasta'. It's beautiful!

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  7. Dee/reddirtramblingsApril 11, 2009 at 7:26 AM

    Phillip, I have a Viburnum, but it was a passalong, a tiny thing, and this will be its first year to bloom. I hope it one day looks as lovely as yours.~~Dee

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  8. Barbee'April 11, 2009 at 8:19 AM

    One of my favorites, but I don't have one of my own. Thank you for showing us yours. And, a beauty it is in spite of the pruning.

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  9. Sweet Home and Garden CarolinaApril 11, 2009 at 8:37 AM

    Big fan of viburnums as well, Phillip. In fact the focal point of my garden was Viburnum plicatum 'mariesii ', a relative of your doublefile. Unfortunately it declined after 20 years in my garden. I sure do miss it.

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  10. Catherine@AGardenerinProgressApril 11, 2009 at 9:34 AM

    They are very pretty. I have shrubs too that I know probably don't have the space they really need, but sometimes they're so pretty you want to have them anyway. I think yours looks very pretty!

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  11. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)April 11, 2009 at 11:34 AM

    Hi Phillip

    What an absolute beauty.

    Your photos are so sharp by the way.

    Rob

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  12. JudyApril 11, 2009 at 7:48 PM

    Very Impressive Phillip! Is it more of a vine or shrub? The picture looks like it is running a little. I like the new photo you have in your profile too.

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  13. GailApril 12, 2009 at 4:39 AM

    Hi Phillip...I love this shrub and always wanted one here...but never thought I had the right conditions. Btw, I've popped over to your web page and had a delightful time watching the evolution of your garden! It's wonderful...you and Michael are very talented garden designers. Have a great day gail

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  14. WayneApril 12, 2009 at 5:18 AM

    I have twice bought what was suppose to be a Doublefile Virburnum, but they ended up being different. I hate nurseries that don't have the correct names on their plants!

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  15. Lisa at GreenbowApril 12, 2009 at 6:00 PM

    Wow, what gorgeous blooms on this viburnum. I have several viburnums but they don't develop blooms properly. I think they are in too much shade. This one is so big too.

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  16. UnknownApril 12, 2009 at 6:10 PM

    It's a favorite of mine, as well! I have a long mixed border than turns the corner of the street, and the viburnum is the centerpiece! I think this winter's cold actually made it more spectacular! It's definitely one I can understand you making room for in your garden!

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  17. AnonymousApril 13, 2009 at 7:53 AM

    Hi Phillip~~ I left a message about the flopping grasses on your Blotanical plot.

    Doublefile always amuses me. We've all heard of "single file" our minds warp speeding back in time to those early years of lining up single file for our semi-orderly trek to the lunch room.

    V. 'Doublefile' is like a hydrangea in spring. Very clever breeding by the plant person you mentioned. Beautiful!

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