Hardiness, looks and disease resistance make 'Emerald Triumph' a true winner among viburnum. Because it's so easy to grow, adding it to your inventory is a no-brainer.

'Emerald Triumph' was introduced by the University of Minnesota in 1994. It's a cross between V. burejaeticum and V. x 'Allegheny,' a cross between V. lantana and V. rhytidophyllum.

Hardy praise

'Emerald Triumph' is reliably hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7, although it's survived in Zone 3, said Steve Effner, woody ornamentals manager at Western Maine Nurseries in Fryeburg, Maine. "It withstands minus 30F, so it's pushing a true Zone 3," he said. "It has survived at minus 38F with no dieback whatsoever." It's an extremely durable shrub that also holds up well to drought, he said.

There are no diseases associated with this variety. But Effner noticed a little necrosis on the foliage of 'Emerald Triumph' last year, which he suspects was from ozone pollution.

"I've never seen any bugs on these plants," he said.

Effner expects this variety to be somewhat resistant to viburnum leaf beetle, although that claim has not been backed up by scientific verification.

"The beetle doesn't like woolly leaves, so I think 'Emerald Triumph' is more resistant to the pest than other smooth-foliage viburnum like V. cassinoides or V. trilobum."

Looks for all seasons

'Emerald Triumph' is a deciduous shrub that grows 10 feet wide and high. It features dark-green, glossy foliage and white flowers in late spring. Fruit turns bright red in August and changes to black by mid-autumn, according to Mark Widrlechner, horticulturist at the USDA's North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station in Ames, Iowa. In Minnesota, the fall color often does not develop completely before a hard freeze, but in the South, the foliage turns bronze to dark red.

The foliage is dense, so 'Emerald Triumph' can be used as a screen hedge. It grows best in full sun to part shade and in well-drained soil.

Prolific propagation

It's propagated by cuttings. Effner propagates the variety in July because it has a bigger propagation window compared to other viburnum, he said.

"I stick cuttings in 3-inch pots and it takes off," he said. "It gets a massive root system, and I have no problems growing it. It's one of the easiest viburnum to grow."

Effner sells about 1,000 liners a year.

"It's gaining in popularity," he said. "Previously, it was very popular, then it evened out. I'm selling more again. It's such an easy, basic plant and so rock hardy, I think more people should be growing it."

-- Kelli Rodda

SPECIFICS:
Name: Viburnum x 'Emerald Triumph'
Description: Dark-green, glossy foliage, topped with white flowers and red fruit. Foliage turns bronze in fall in some parts of the country.
Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 4-7, possible 3-8.
Propagation: Softwood cuttings.
For more: Western Maine Nurseries, 1 Evergreen Drive, Fryeburg, ME 04037; (800) 447-4745; www.westernmainenurseries.com.

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© 2002 Branch-Smith Publishing