|
The U.S. National Arboretum presents Viburnum x carlcephalum 'Cayuga', one of the first viburnum cultivars introduced by the arboretum and one of our longest running attractions. A proven performer, 'Cayuga' is resplendent with distinctive snowball inflorescences of pink buds opening to waxy white flowers in late April. Abundant annual bloom, medium-textured, dark green foliage, and fairly compact habit make 'Cayuga' a landscape shrub without parallel! 
 |
 |
|
| 'Cayuga'
Viburnum
|
|
| Botanical Name: | Viburnum x carlcephalum Burk. & Skip. 'Cayuga'
(NA 28180; PI 315888) |
| Family: | Caprifoliaceae |
| Hardiness: | U.S.D.A. Zones 5b - 8 |
| Development: | A backcross of V. carlesii x V. x carlcephalum was made in 1953 by Donald R. Egolf. Seeds of this cross were embryo-cultured to expedite seedling production. A superior young plant from this hybrid population was selected for intensive evaluation in 1960, named 'Cayuga', and released in 1966. |
| Significance: | 'Cayuga' is distinct in producing abundant inflorescences of pink buds that open to white flowers. The individual flowers open from one side of the inflorescence in such a way that nearly all of the flower clusters display pink buds accenting the white, waxy flowers. In addition, it has a fairly compact growth habit and dark green, medium-textured foliage with tolerance to bacterial leaf spot and powdery mildew. |
| Description: | Height and Width: 8.5 feet tall
and 11 feet wide at 20 years.
Habit: Deciduous, fairly compact shrub with spreading branches. Foliage: Dark green, somewhat glossy, medium-textured leaves, highly tolerant to bacterial leaf spot and powdery mildew. Leaves are smaller and less coarse in texture than other selections of V. x carlcephalum. Fall color is a dull orange red. Flowers: Abundant, terminal, compound cymes, each with 20-35 florets. Glistening pink buds open to white, waxy flowers. Flowers appear with young leaves in late April and open progressively from one side of the inflorescence to the other. Flowers are slightly scented. Fruit: A black drupe. |
| Culture: | Adaptable to diverse climatic and soil conditions. Performs best on heavy loam soils with a pH of 6.0-6.5. Avoid poorly drained soils. Grows well in full sun to partial shade. |
| Propagation: | Softwood cuttings must be taken early, before terminal flower buds are initiated. Softwood cuttings treated with 8000 ppm IBA, under mist, root in 4 weeks. May be difficult to overwinter the first year. |
| Landscape Use: | Specimen plant, shrub border, good plant for the urban landscape. |
| Availability: | Readily available from wholesale and retail nurseries. |
|
U.S. National Arboretum Plant Introduction
U.S. National Arboretum, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 3501 New York Ave., N.E., Washington, DC 20002 |
|
Back to the Arboretum Home Page
Last Updated January 14, 2002
URL = ../Newintro/cayuga1.html
