Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Viburnum plicatum ‘Mariesii’
Doublefile Viburnum
- Family
- Adoxaceae
- Height
- 8 to 10 feet
- Width
- 10 to 12 feet
- Flower color
- White
- Foliage color
- Dark green, turning reddish-purple in fall
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Medium; prefers well-drained, moist soil
- Maintenance
- Low; occasional pruning to maintain shape and remove dead or damaged growth
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 8
- Wildlife
- The flowers attract bees and butterflies, and the berries that follow attract birds
About this plant
Viburnum plicatum 'Mariesii', commonly known as doublefile viburnum, is a deciduous shrub prized for its elegant tiered branching, abundant spring blooms, and attractive fall foliage. Native to China and Japan, 'Mariesii' is popular in gardens and landscapes due to its striking appearance and multi-season interest. In late spring to early summer, it produces flat-topped clusters of white flowers arranged in horizontal layers along the branches, creating a distinctive tiered effect. The shrub has a spreading, somewhat rounded form, with branches that may develop a graceful, cascading appearance as they mature.
Thriving in full sun to partial shade, 'Mariesii' prefers well-drained soil rich in organic matter and consistently moist conditions. Versatile and striking, it can be used as a specimen plant, in mixed borders, or as part of a hedge, pairing well with other shrubs, perennials, and spring-flowering bulbs to enhance garden beauty.
Companion plants
Gaura · Weigela · Salvia · Baptisia · Lilies · Mexican feather grass
Design tip
Make ‘Mariesii’s’ horizontal branching part of the garden’s architecture by viewing it across an open foreground. Its broad, layered form creates strong horizontal lines, especially in spring when rows of white flowers trace the branches from end to end.
