Spice Island™ Korean Spice Viburnum

Spice Girl® Korean Spice Viburnum PP#24,25 (Viburnum carlesii 'Spiro') is a Proven Winners® selection that brings an intoxicating scent and outstanding spring color to the garden! This deciduous shrub is beloved for its clusters of blush-pink buds that open into snowy white, spicy-sweet flowers in mid to late spring. The blooms emerge on bare branches before the leaves fully unfurl, creating a show-stopping display of floral charm!

Known for its exceptional fragrance, this cultivar is a refined and compact form of the species, reaching about 6-7 feet tall and wide, making it easier to include in your garden! Spice Girl® has an upright, rounded form with dense branching and attractive, leathery dark green leaves that turn shades of wine-red to burgundy in fall.

Flowers give way to small, red berries that mature to black in late summer if a pollinator Viburnum carlesii is nearby. Spice Girl® takes the cake with its superior fragrance and form!

Key Features

• Extremely fragrant white blooms with pink buds in mid-spring
• Upright, rounded form with deep green leaves and red fall color
• Pollinator-friendly; may produce berries with another V. carlesii nearby
• Wine-red to burgundy fall color
• Deer-resistant and low-maintenance
• Hardy in USDA Zones 4–8
• Compact Proven Winners® selection

Landscaping Uses

This upright, deciduous Viburnum variety reaches about 6-7 feet tall and wide, making it a versatile, mid-sized anchor for the garden.

• Plant as a fragrant hedge or privacy screen!
• Add to cottage gardens, meditation gardens, or sensory gardens
• Add to mixed shrub borders for seasonal color
• Perfect specimen near patios or windows where the scent can be enjoyed
• Use as a foundation plant for structure and interest

Care and Maintenance

Native to Korea and Japan, Korean Spice Viburnum are treasured not only for its ornamental appeal but also for its resilience. Hardy in USDA Zones 4–8, Spice Girl® tolerates urban conditions and adapts well to various soil types. It's deer-resistant, pollinator-friendly, and low maintenance—an ideal choice for Ma Nature's ever-changing moods.

This is a deciduous shrub, meaning it loses its leaves in fall, but comes back reliably each spring with vigor and bloom. It is tough, deer-resistant, drought-tolerant once established, and easy to care for.

• Planting Time: Spring or fall planting is ideal
• Sun Needs: Full sun to part shade (best flowering in full sun)
• Soil Needs: Prefers well-drained soil; tolerates clay, loam, and average garden soil
• Moisture Needs: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
• Mulch: A 3–4 inch deep layer of shredded bark or arborist mulch helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds
• Fertilization Needs: Feed in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer
• Pruning Info: Blooms on old wood – prune right after flowering if shaping is needed
• Renewal Pruning: Every few years, remove 1/3 of the oldest stems at ground level to rejuvenate and encourage new growth
• Special Needs/Perks:
• Deer and rabbit-resistant
• Pollution tolerant
• Resists pests and disease
• Handles urban conditions
• Pollination Needs: To produce fruit, another Viburnum carlesii or compatible cultivar nearby is needed

Spice Up Your Garden With Spice Girl®

If your garden lacks that showstopping, fragrant shrub that makes neighbors stop and ask, "What is that smell?"—Proven Winners® Spice Girl® Korean Spice Viburnum is the answer. With unmatched spring bloom, a compact form, and easygoing nature, she's a knockout in every sense.

Order now from Nature Hills Nursery and we'll ship her straight to your door at the proper planting time for your growing zone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Spice Girl® Viburnum fragrant?
Yes! It's famous for its strong, spicy-sweet floral scent—one of the most fragrant spring-flowering shrubs.

Does Spice Girl® Viburnum produce berries?
Yes, but only if a compatible Viburnum carlesii is nearby for cross-pollination. Berries attract birds and add ornamental value!

When does Spice Girl® Viburnum bloom?
It blooms in mid to late spring, with flowers lasting several weeks depending on the weather.

Can Spice Girl® be grown in shade?
Partial shade is tolerated, but for the best blooms and fragrance, full sun is preferred.

Is this Viburnum deer-resistant?
Yes, deer usually avoid Viburnum carlesii due to its thick, slightly fuzzy leaves.

Does it tolerate clay soil?
Yes, as long as the drainage is decent. Avoid standing water or overly soggy conditions.

What is the difference between Spice Girl® and Judd Viburnum?
Spice Girl® is more compact and has a stronger fragrance, while Judd is a hybrid with slightly different bloom timing and size.