Dwarf Fragrant Viburnum

Looking for a petite powerhouse with delightful fragrance and tidy form? Meet the Dwarf Fragrant Viburnum (Viburnum farreri 'Nanum'), a dense, rounded deciduous shrub that packs a serious punch of spring perfume. This dwarf hybrid offers intensely sweet-smelling blooms in early to mid-spring, opening in clusters of soft pink buds that mature into creamy white flowers.

Though small in size, it's big on beauty—and yes, it's reblooming in some regions where the climate allows! This compact shrub typically grows just 2 to 4 feet tall and wide, forming a neatly mounded shape. Its leathery, dark green leaves are semi-evergreen in warmer climates, offering a year-round presence.

In fall, expect a lovely display of bronze to reddish hues, especially in cooler zones. While it's not known for fruit production like some other Viburnums, it makes up for it with its dense, ornamental foliage and heavenly scent.

Key Features

• Sweetly fragrant white spring flowers from pink buds
• Dwarf space-saving habit, only 3–4 feet tall and wide
• Semi-evergreen in warmer regions
• Tidy, rounded growth habit
• Bronze to reddish fall foliage
• Adaptable and low-maintenance
• Deer and rabbit-resistant
• Reblooming potential in mild climates

Landscaping Uses

Culturally symbolic of loyalty and lasting affection, Viburnums have long been used in traditional gardens, and this dwarf form brings that legacy to smaller spaces with grace.

Perfect for small gardens or foundation plantings, Dwarf Fragrant Viburnum reaches just 2 to 4 feet tall and wide with a symmetrical mounding shape.

• Use as a low-growing fragrant hedge or border along pathways
• Plant in mass for a perfumed, spring-blooming screen
• Accent plant near patios or entries for scent on the breeze
• Ideal for mixed shrub borders or cottage gardens
• Add to cottage gardens, perfume meditation gardens, or spice up sensory gardens
• Grow in containers in colder zones for portability and seasonal flair

Care and Maintenance

As a hybrid, Dwarf Fragrant Viburnum is both hardy and adaptable. Hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 8, it's well-suited to temperate and cooler climates. It's part of the larger Viburnum family, a genus with over 150 species, many native to Asia and North America. This particular cultivar thrives with full sun to part shade, tolerates urban pollution, and resists deer and rabbits.

This deciduous shrub is beloved for its floral scent, compact shape, and carefree nature. It's drought-tolerant once established and handles clay and urban soils like a champ.

• Planting Time: Spring or fall planting is ideal
• Sun Needs: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Well-drained soil; tolerates clay and average garden soils
• Moisture Needs: Medium moisture; drought tolerant once established
• Mulch/Arborist Mulch: Apply a 3–4 inch deep layer of mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temps
• Fertilization Needs: Light feeder; compost or balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring
• Pruning Info: Prune lightly after flowering; blooms on old wood
• Renewal Pruning: Every few years, remove 1–3 oldest stems to rejuvenate
• Special Needs/Perks:
• Deer and rabbit-resistant
• Urban/pollution-tolerant
• Adaptable to a wide range of soil types
• Low maintenance and suitable for foundation plantings

Fragrant, Fabulous, and Fun-Sized!

The Dwarf Fragrant Viburnum is the scented shrub your small-space garden has been craving. Compact, fragrant, and oh-so-lovely in bloom, it brings a sensory delight each spring—and keeps on charming all year. Don't miss out on this perfect pairing of fragrance and form.

Order now at Nature Hills Nursery and we'll ship at the perfect planting time for your growing zone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Dwarf Fragrant Viburnum bloom more than once a year?
It primarily blooms in spring, but in mild climates, you may see a second, lighter flush in late summer.

How big does Dwarf Fragrant Viburnum get?
It reaches 2 to 4 feet tall and wide with a mounding, rounded shape.

Is Dwarf Fragrant Viburnum evergreen?
It is semi-evergreen in warmer climates (Zones 7–8) but deciduous in colder zones (Zones 4–6).

What pollinators are attracted to Dwarf Fragrant Viburnum?
Bees and butterflies love its fragrant spring flowers.

Can it tolerate clay soil or urban conditions?
Yes, it's adaptable and does well in clay soils and polluted urban environments.

Is Dwarf Fragrant Viburnum deer resistant?
Yes, deer and rabbits typically avoid it.

Can I grow this shrub in a container?
Absolutely—its dwarf size makes it ideal for patio containers.