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Chicago Lustre® Viburnum
Viburnum dentatum ‘Synnestvedt'
Chicago Lustre® Viburnum is a hardy native shrub known for its glossy green foliage, creamy white summer flowers, and vibrant blue-black berries that attract birds. Ideal for privacy hedges, wildlife gardens, and mixed borders, it provides multi-season interest and thrives in a wide range of soil and light conditions.
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Chicago Lustre® Viburnum for Sale Online
Chicago Lustre® Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum ‘Chicago Lustre’) is a vigorous, upright native shrub prized for its glossy green foliage, dense form, and ornamental versatility. This cultivar of the arrowwood viburnum features deep green, leathery leaves that turn vibrant shades of yellow to red-purple in the fall, adding seasonal interest to your landscape. In early summer, clusters of creamy white flowers bloom, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. These blooms are followed by striking blue-black berries in late summer to fall, providing a valuable food source for birds and other wildlife.
Growing 8 to 10 feet tall and wide, Chicago Lustre® Viburnum is ideal for use as a privacy hedge, screen, or naturalized border and performs beautifully in both formal and informal garden settings. It thrives in full sun to part shade and adapts well to a range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. This low-maintenance shrub is also drought tolerant once established and deer resistant, making it a practical and attractive choice for low-care landscapes. Its upright growth habit and dense branching structure make it well-suited for foundation, backdrops, and mass plantings.
Hardy in USDA Zones 3–8, Chicago Lustre® Viburnum is a tough yet beautiful native plant that supports local ecosystems while enhancing your yard with texture, color, and wildlife appeal. Whether you're looking to create a living fence, boost curb appeal, or plant a pollinator-friendly garden, this viburnum offers multi-season interest and landscape resilience. Its combination of showy blooms, glossy foliage, fall color, and bird-friendly berries makes Chicago Lustre® a standout performer in any garden design.
| Hardiness Zone: | 3-8 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 6 to 10 feet |
| Mature Width: | 6 to 10 feet |
| Classification: | Broad leaved deciduous shrub, spring flowering |
| Sunlight: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Habit: | Upright, densely branched |
| Foliage: | Dark green |
| Flower Color: | Creamy white |
| Pruning Season: | Prune in summer after flowering |
| 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 Chicago Lustre® Viburnum
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Chicago Lustre® Viburnum for years to come!
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How Do I Plant A Chicago Lustre Viburnum?
Planting a Chicago Lustre® Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum ‘Chicago Lustre’) begins with choosing the right location—this hardy native shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to a wide range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. Select a spot with well-drained soil and enough space for the shrub to mature to its full size of 8 to 10 feet tall and wide. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball. Gently loosen the roots before placing the shrub in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with native soil, tamp it down gently, and water thoroughly to help settle the roots. After planting, apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds—be careful to keep mulch a few inches away from the main stem to prevent rot. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep, healthy root system, especially during dry spells. When planted correctly, Chicago Lustre® Viburnum becomes a low-maintenance, multi-season shrub that offers creamy white flowers in early summer, vibrant blue-black berries in late summer, and colorful fall foliage. It’s ideal for use as a privacy hedge, wildlife habitat, or a naturalistic border in both residential and commercial landscapes.
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How Do I Water A Chicago Lustre Viburnum?
Watering your Chicago Lustre® Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum ‘Chicago Lustre’) correctly is key to establishing strong roots and maintaining healthy growth. During the first growing season, water deeply 1–2 times per week, especially during dry or hot weather, to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. A slow, deep soak encourages the roots to grow downward, increasing the plant’s long-term drought tolerance. Focus on watering at the base of the plant, and avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of foliar diseases. Once established, Chicago Lustre Viburnum becomes quite drought tolerant, requiring only occasional watering during extended dry periods. Check the soil moisture regularly—if the top 2–3 inches feel dry, it’s time to water. Applying a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture and reduces the frequency of watering. Proper watering not only supports lush green foliage and vigorous growth but also encourages the development of creamy white flower clusters in early summer and deep blue-black berries in late summer, making this shrub a standout in pollinator-friendly and bird-attracting landscapes.
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How Do I Fertilize A Chicago Lustre Viburnum?
Fertilizing a Chicago Lustre® Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum ‘Chicago Lustre’) is an important step in promoting strong growth, vibrant foliage, and abundant flowering. In early spring, apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer—such as a 10-10-10 or 14-14-14—around the base of the shrub, taking care to keep the product a few inches away from the main stem. Distribute the fertilizer evenly around the root zone, extending to the drip line, and water it in thoroughly to help the nutrients reach the roots. This single application is typically sufficient for the entire growing season. If you prefer an organic approach, you can amend the soil with compost, aged manure, or organic fertilizers like fish emulsion or bone meal to gently feed the plant while improving soil structure. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive leafy growth at the expense of blooms and berries. With proper feeding, your Chicago Lustre Viburnum will reward you with lush green foliage, creamy white flower clusters in early summer, and vibrant blue-black berries in late summer, all while supporting local pollinators and wildlife in your landscape.
How and When Should I Prune a Chicago Lustre Viburnum?
Pruning a Chicago Lustre® Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum ‘Chicago Lustre’) is best done in late winter to early spring, before new growth begins. This timing allows you to shape the plant without sacrificing the development of its attractive creamy white flower clusters, which bloom on new wood. Start by removing any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve airflow and encourage a strong, open structure. If you're maintaining the shrub as a hedge or screen, you can lightly shear the outer edges to shape it while preserving its natural form. For more detailed maintenance, you can also perform a second, light pruning in late summer after the berries have formed if needed, being careful not to remove too much foliage. Avoid heavy pruning in fall, as this can encourage tender new growth that may be damaged by frost. Pruning helps maintain the shrub’s dense, upright habit and encourages vigorous new growth, which leads to more flowers and fruit the following season. With thoughtful pruning, your Chicago Lustre Viburnum will remain a standout in the landscape, offering multi-season interest, wildlife benefits, and a polished, professional appearance.
