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, vivid 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 Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 7 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 8-10 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 3-5 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Pink
- Flower Description
- Loose panicles of fragrant, pink, tubular flowers
- Bloom Time
- Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- Foliage Description
- Green glossy, elliptic-ovate leaves
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Fall Interest, Winter Interest, 4 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Sweet Talker® Viburnum
- Botanical Name
- Viburnum 'NCVX4' USPPAF, Can PBRAF
- Brand
- Proven Winners
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
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
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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: 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!