How Much Sun Does a Korean Spice Bush Need?
The spicy scent of the Korean spice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii), also known as Koreanspice viburnum, fills the garden in the spring, when its large clusters of white flowers appear. Ideal for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9, depending on the cultivar, the Korean spice viburnum thrives in both full sun and partial shade.
Sun and Partial Shade
Full sun means at least eight hours of sunlight daily. Partial shade is defined as three to four hours of full sun, or equal amounts of shade and sun in a dappled pattern that lasts all day. The Korean spice viburnum is one of the few shrubs that tolerates partial shade and still blooms profusely in the spring. Once the blossoms fade, the 6-foot-tall and equally wide shrub provides a green backdrop to the summer garden. When fall arrives, the leaves turn red and the red berries turn black, making it a focal point of the fall garden, and attracting birds and other local wildlife. While the shrub requires regular watering during its first year, once established it can tolerate drier conditions. Adding a 4-inch layer of mulch over the shrub's rootball helps maintain a consistent moisture level by reducing evaporation from the soil.
With degrees in fine and commercial art and Spanish, Ruth de Jauregui is an old-school graphic artist, book designer and published author. De Jauregui authored 50 Fabulous Tomatoes for Your Garden, available as an ebook. She enthusiastically pursues creative and community interests, including gardening, home improvement and social issues.