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Cardinal Candy® Viburnum
Viburnum dilatatum 'Henneke' PP12870
Cardinal Candy Viburnum is prized for its vibrant red berries, stunning fall foliage, and white spring blooms, making it an excellent choice for hedges, borders, or wildlife gardens. Its deer-resistant nature, compact size, and cold hardiness make it perfect for adding year-round interest and attracting birds to your landscape.
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Cardinal Candy Viburnum Shrubs for Sale Online
Cardinal Candy Viburnum (Viburnum dilatatum ‘Henneke’) is a striking deciduous shrub known for its vibrant red berries and exceptional cold hardiness. Thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8, this viburnum reaches a mature height of 5-6 feet tall and wide, making it a perfect choice for smaller gardens, mixed borders, or as an eye-catching specimen plant. In late spring, Cardinal Candy Viburnum produces clusters of creamy white flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding ecological value to your landscape.
The standout feature of Cardinal Candy Viburnum is its bright red berries, which appear in late summer and persist well into winter, providing a vivid contrast to the shrub’s dark green foliage. These berries are a major draw for birds, offering an essential food source during the colder months. As the seasons change, the foliage of Cardinal Candy turns a stunning shade of red, orange, and yellow, adding multi-season interest to your garden. Its compact size and upright growth habit make it an excellent option for hedges, foundation plantings, or as part of a wildlife-friendly garden design.
In addition to its ornamental appeal, Cardinal Candy Viburnum is remarkably hardy and adaptable, tolerating a wide range of soil types and growing conditions. Once established, this shrub is deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, making it a low-maintenance option for gardeners in colder climates. Whether you’re looking to attract birds, add vibrant color to your fall and winter garden, or create a beautiful natural hedge, Cardinal Candy Viburnum offers year-round beauty and ecological benefits with minimal care.
| Hardiness Zone: | 4-8 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 5 to 6 feet |
| Mature Width: | 5 to 6 feet |
| Classification: | Broad leaved deciduous shrub, spring to summer flowering |
| Sunlight: | Full to partial sun |
| Habit: | Upright, densely branched |
| Foliage: | Dark green |
| Flower Color: | White |
| Pruning Season: | Prune after flowering, flowers on old wood, rarely needed |
| Soil Condition: | Any well drained soil |
| Water Requirements: | Water well until established |
| Uses: | Extremely attractive when used as a focal point in the mixed border, mass planting, or a specimen planting |
How to Care for Cardinal Candy® Viburnum
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Cardinal Candy Viburnum for years to come!
How Do I Plant Cardinal Candy Viburnum?
To plant Cardinal Candy Viburnum, choose a location with well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade for optimal growth and berry production. Begin by digging a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the shrub's root ball, ensuring enough space for the roots to spread. Place the viburnum in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface, then backfill with soil, firming it gently around the roots. Water thoroughly after planting to help establish the root system. If planting multiple Cardinal Candy Viburnum shrubs for a hedge or border, space them 5-6 feet apart to allow room for their mature size. Mulching around the base of the plant will help retain moisture, prevent weed growth, and regulate soil temperature, especially during the first growing season. Keep the soil consistently moist, particularly during dry periods, to help the shrub establish strong roots. Once established, Cardinal Candy Viburnum becomes more drought-tolerant, requiring less frequent watering. Applying a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring will encourage healthy growth and promote abundant flowering and berry production. With the right planting and care, this viburnum will reward you with vibrant red berries, beautiful white blooms, and stunning fall color.
How Do I Water Cardinal Candy Viburnum?
To water Cardinal Candy Viburnum, keep the soil consistently moist during its first growing season to help establish a strong root system. Water deeply once or twice a week, ensuring the water reaches the root zone, especially during hot or dry periods. Mulching around the base of the plant will help retain moisture and reduce the need for frequent watering by minimizing evaporation. Be sure to avoid waterlogging the soil, as Cardinal Candy Viburnum prefers well-drained soil and too much water can lead to root rot. Once established, Cardinal Candy Viburnum becomes more drought-tolerant and requires less frequent watering. During normal weather conditions, natural rainfall may be enough to sustain the plant. However, during extended dry spells or extreme heat, supplemental watering will help keep the shrub healthy and promote vigorous growth. Check the soil regularly, and if the top 1-2 inches are dry, water deeply to encourage the production of its signature vibrant red berries and beautiful foliage. Consistent watering helps ensure Cardinal Candy Viburnum continues to provide multi-season beauty with minimal maintenance.
How Do I Fertilize Cardinal Candy Viburnum?
To fertilize Cardinal Candy Viburnum, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring just as new growth begins. A general-purpose 10-10-10 or 14-14-14 fertilizer provides essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to promote healthy foliage, abundant blooms, and vibrant berry production. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the base of the shrub, avoiding direct contact with the trunk, and water thoroughly afterward to help the nutrients absorb into the soil. Fertilizing once a year in spring is typically sufficient to support the growth and health of Cardinal Candy Viburnum throughout the growing season. For an organic approach, you can top-dress the soil with compost or well-rotted manure in early spring, which will naturally release nutrients over time and improve soil structure. Be careful not to over-fertilize, as too much nitrogen can result in excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers and berries. Regular fertilization encourages strong root development, promotes its signature white blooms in spring, and enhances the production of the vivid red berries that persist into winter, ensuring your Cardinal Candy Viburnum remains healthy and visually appealing year-round.
How Do I Prune Cardinal Candy Viburnum?
To prune Cardinal Candy Viburnum, the best time is immediately after the shrub finishes blooming in late spring or early summer. Since Cardinal Candy Viburnum blooms on old wood, pruning after flowering ensures you won’t remove the buds that will form next year’s flowers. Start by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased branches to improve the overall health of the plant. Use clean, sharp pruning shears and cut back any overly long branches to shape the shrub while maintaining its natural growth habit. Be cautious not to over-prune, as this can reduce the number of blooms and berries the following year. If the shrub becomes too dense, thin out some of the older interior branches to improve air circulation and light penetration, which encourages better flowering and berry production. Regular, light pruning helps keep Cardinal Candy Viburnum looking neat and promotes strong growth while preserving its ability to produce the bright red berries that attract birds in late summer and fall. Avoid heavy pruning in the fall, as this may affect the bloom and fruiting cycle. By pruning properly, you ensure that Cardinal Candy Viburnum continues to thrive and enhance your landscape with its multi-season interest.
