The Sugar Cookie Sweet Viburnum from the Southern Living Plant Collection provides a twist on the traditional Sweet Viburnum. The Sugar Cookie is more compact than traditional varieties, and doesn’t grow nearly as large either, maxing out at 5-6′ H x 5-6′ W. Dense foliage emerges a light green before maturing to an attractive, dark emerald green. Furthermore, this viburnum is evergreen, meaning it won’t leave your landscape looking bare in winter. In addition, this Viburnum features dynamic, eye-catching red foliage in Winter, creating even more interest in your winter landscape.
Spring sees the production of small white flower clusters that are delicately beautiful. These blossoms are notably fragrant, with a sweet scent that is sure to attract butterflies. Additionally, bird lovers will appreciate the Sugar Cookie as birds will frequently build nests in their sturdy branches.
The Sugar Cookie is notably heat tolerant, as well as disease and pest resistant. Therefore, this shrub is truly at home in Southern landscapes.
Sugar Cookie Sweet Viburnum Care
Hardy in USDA Zones 8-10.
Plant the Sugar Cookie Sweet Viburnum in Full Sun to Part Shade.
Water regularly until it has established itself in your landscape, traditionally the first few months. Afterwards, provide supplemental watering during dry weeks.
This shrub is not picky when it comes to soil types, however, Viburnums are known for preferring acidic soil over alkaline. It is important that your planting location has good drainage though.
Fertilize in early spring with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer. This will ensure that it has the nutrients needed to grow and thrive. Alternatively, organic gardeners should use a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring and then reapply every couple months during the growing season.
Prune after the initial spring bloom cycle in order to encourage dense growth, or to maintain shape/size.
Sugar Cookie Sweet Viburnum Spacing Recommendations
Plant Your Sugar Cookie Sweet Viburnum 2-3 feet apart for a seamless planting. Space them 5-6+ feet apart to leave space between shrubs.
Kim McElroy (verified owner) –
I purchased 3 sugar cookie sweet viburnums, 3 gallon. They are all fairly large shrubs but were shoved into boxes half the size they should have been. Branches and leaves were folded into the flaps, many of the branches breaking in the process. There are also signs of pests – lots of sticky honeydew spots. Probably about 80% of the leaves have some kind of damage. I am sorely disappointed.
Team PBM –
I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to address your complaints after listing this review. – Christy
Ann Granack (verified owner) –
I purchased two Sugar Cookie Sweet Viburnums this summer to plant along the west side of the house as a tall hedge with Sunshine Ligustrum and 3 orange rocket barberries plus a grape vine. I didn’t want to risk planting in our zone 8a heat so I waited until early Fall. The plants came in great condition and established quickly with root stimulator. The main two reasons I bought this variety of viburnum is for the early spring blooms and red winter foliage change. It is now mid-January and I am still waiting for the red leaves. It might happen but then again, I might not live in a cold enough area to get the leaf change so there’s a heads-up.
Ramon Reyes (verified owner) –
It’s great to have a mail-order source for new, hard-to-find Viburnums. The beautiful plants arrived quickly and in perfect condition.