
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
If you’ve always wanted to up your garden’s early spring game with a fragrant viburnum, now is your chance. Sweet Talker, a new hybrid, offers gorgeous semi-evergreen/plum-tinted foliage, vibrant pink honey-scented flowers, all in an easy-care, fast-growing package. It’s easy-going in its light needs, happy to grow in anywhere from full sun to full shade. It’s uniquely heat-tolerant, so hot summers are not an issue for this Sweet Talker. It is taller than wide, averaging nine feet by four, so find it a place where you can enjoy a column of color and fragrance when you need it the most – on the heels of winter. Hear that? It’s asking to come home with you.
Sweet Talker was bred from Viburnum x bodnantense x V. suspensum by renowned breeder Tom Ranney at North Carolina State University. It’s known for being resistant to viburnum beetle resistant, reasonably tolerant to deer and rabbits, and highly salt tolerant. The green foliage is a standout when the flowers pass, with a handsome leathery texture that takes on plum highlights in cooler temperatures in both fall and spring. Hardy in zones 7 through 8, Sweet Talker would make a wonderful hedge or privacy screen, or could be a focal point as a small, vase-shaped tree, perhaps with a skirting of contrasting evergreen Carex, Black Mondo Grass, or spring bulbs. It also makes a fine cut flower, so you can enjoy that spicy-sweet fragrance on your table.
Sweet Talker® Viburnum Care
Viburnums are so easy, there’s very little to specify. While they and Sweet Talker specifically are shade tolerant, you’ll see the most intense bloom and full growth in fuller sun. They are heat tolerant, but regular watering is best, especially while getting established.
The only pruning needed is to remove the very oldest branches after the plant is established for several years to encourage robust-flowering new growth. The best time for pruning is right after blooming. If you’d like to fertilize, use a granular type made for roses and apply in early spring.
Sweet Talker® Viburnum Spacing
You can expect a spread anywhere from 36 to 60 inches across for Sweet Talker, so 45 to 60 inches would be appropriate.
Sweet Talker® Viburnum Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-8 |
Plant Type: Shrub |
Light Exposure: Partial Sun to Full Sun |
Mature Height: 8 - 10 Feet |
Mature Width: 3 - 5 Feet |
Mature Spacing: 3 - 5 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): Pink |
Flower Description: Loose panicles of fragrant, pink, tubular flowers |
Bloom Period: Early spring |
Foliage Type: Evergreen |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: Glossy, elliptic-ovate leaves |
Seasonal Interest: Spring |
Watering: Moderate |
Resists: Deer, rabbit, disease, pest/insects |
Tolerates: Heat |
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, hummingbirds |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Deadheading Not Necessary, Foliage Interest, Fragrant, Low Maintenance |
Uses: Border Plant Cut Flower Good for Screening Landscape Mass Planting Specimen or Focal Point |
Brand: Proven Winners |
Botanical/Scientific Name: Viburnum 'NCVX4' USPPAF, Can PBRAF |
- SKU:
- VIBST
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 31th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: Idaho, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!