Steady Eddy Is a Doublefile Viburnum Suited to Small Gardens
A treat of flowers and foliage.
Trialed against the comparable cultivar ‘Summer Snowflake’, Steady Eddy doublefile viburnum was reported to best its competitor in strength of bloom. Lacy white flowers first appear in spring, with a second flush occurring in summer. Though the flowers are beautiful, this shrub’s foliage and form also contribute to its appeal.
Common name: Steady Eddy doublefile viburnum
Botanical name: Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum ‘NCVP1’
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Flowers: Lacecap flowers begin in spring. They are a mix of small, cream-colored fertile florets and larger, bright white bracts. Rebloom can occur over the summer.
Foliage: Deciduous. The leaves possess the corrugated appearance that inspired the species name plicatum, which means “pleated”. In spring and summer, the leaves are a dark green that contrasts beautifully with the light flowers. Fall foliage color is an attractive reddish purple.
Habit: This cultivar shows the strong horizontal branching of doublefile viburnums, providing interesting architecture all year. However it grows just four to five feet tall and wide, making it more compact than typical.
Origin: The species is native to forests of China and Japan. The cultivar Steady Eddy ('NCVP1') was brought to market by Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs in 2022.
How to grow it: Grow Steady Eddy viburnum in full sun or part shade, with moderate moisture. Its flower buds form the season prior to opening (on "old wood"). That means any pruning should occur immediately after bloom, before new buds are set. Pruning in late winter or early spring would remove the buds. USDA Zones 5–8.
Image courtesy of Proven Winners
