U.S. National Arboretum Plant Introduction

Viburnum 'Chippewa' and 'Huron' 

The U.S. National Arboretum presents 'Chippewa' and 'Huron', two impressive 

viburnum cultivars that were made for each other! Plant smart! Plant this 

compatible pair together for a uniform effect and guaranteed masses of sparkling, glossy 

red fruit just as autumn arrives. 'Chippewa' and 'Huron' continue to shine as the 

aging autumn season paints the heavy dark green foliage with rich hues of red, 

red-purple and maroon.

'Chippewa'

'Huron' and 'Chippewa'

'Chippewa'

Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 3501 New York Ave., N.E., Washington, DC 20002
U.S. National Arboretum Plant Introduction

Floral and Nursery Plants Research Unit

U.S. National Arboretum: www.usna.usda.gov

March 2006

Botanical Name: Viburnum (japonicum (Thunb.) Spreng. x dilatatum Thunb. 'Catskill') 'Chippewa'

(NA 54986; PI 499833)

Viburnum (lobophyllum Graebn. x japonicum (Thunb.) Spreng.) 'Huron'

(NA 54985; PI 499832)

Family: Adoxaceae

Hardiness: U.S.D.A. Zones 6-8

Development: In 1968, the evergreen species Viburnum japonicum was crossed with the 

deciduous, red-fruited species V. lobophyllum or V. dilatatum 'Catskill'. Young 

hybrids of both crosses were semi-evergreen, possessed the heavy-textured foliage 

of V. japonicum, but also displayed brilliant autumn fall color. Seedlings fruited at 

3 years and at 5 years exhibited spectacular displays of glossy red fruit. 'Chippewa' 

and 'Huron' were selected in 1973 and named and released in 1986 by Dr. Donald 

Egolf.

Significance: 'Chippewa' and 'Huron' are the first semi-evergreen viburnum cultivars introduced 

by the U.S. National Arboretum that combine the abundant red fruit of deciduous 

species with the dark green, heavy-textured foliage of the evergreen V. japonicum. 

Strikingly similar in general appearance, they can be interplanted in the landscape 

to insure a heavy fruiting display.

Description: Height and width: 8 feet tall and 9 feet wide.

Habit: Semi-evergreen to deciduous, dense-branched, multi-stemmed large shrubs.

Foliage: 'Chippewa': Glossy, dark green, heavy-textured, obovate, semi-evergreen 

leaves turn dark maroon to bright red in late autumn. 'Huron': Dull, dark green, 

heavy textured, elliptic, semi-evergreen leaves turn rich red-purple in late autumn.

Flowers: Abundant cymes, each containing 250-400 small cream-white florets in 

early May.

Fruit: A drupe. Ovoid to oblong fruits ripen in August to a glossy dark red and 

persist until early winter. Fruit set improves dramatically by interplanting both 

cultivars.

Culture: Easy to grow and adaptable to diverse soil and climatic conditions. Grow best in a 

heavy loam with adequate moisture in full sun or partial shade.

Propagation: Root easily from softwood to semi-hardwood cuttings under mist, 1000-3000 ppm 

IBA in 4-6 weeks.

Landscape Use: 'Chippewa' and 'Huron' are cultivars with similar growth habits. Interplanting of 

the two cultivars ensures heavy fruit set while retaining a uniform appearance. 

Extremely suitable for large commercial landscapes, highways, and parks. Use as 

specimens, as massed plants in shrub borders, or as large informal hedges. 

Availability: Available from wholesale nurseries. 

'Chippewa' and 'Huron' Viburnum

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an Equal Opportunity Employer.