Viburnum ‘Molly Schroeder’ is a distinctive ornamental shrub, valued for its unique floral display and elegant growth habit. Gardeners seek it for its refined beauty and consistent seasonal interest. Its appeal lies in reliable performance and the visual depth it brings to diverse garden designs, making it a compelling choice.
Key Characteristics
Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum ‘Molly Schroeder’ is a deciduous shrub known for its unique floral display. Its lacecap flowers emerge in mid to late spring, showing a lavender-pink hue, distinct from many white-blooming viburnums. These blooms often retain their pink color or feature white accents, creating a two-tone effect. Flowering extends into early summer, with some autumn repeat blooms, adding prolonged visual interest.
The shrub exhibits a striking architectural form, characterized by tiered, horizontal branches that create a “doublefile” arrangement. This layered structure beautifully showcases the flowers and contributes to its elegant appearance. ‘Molly Schroeder’ typically achieves a mature size of 5 to 8 feet in both height and spread, forming a balanced, rounded profile. Its foliage consists of dark green, serrated leaves that provide a lush backdrop. In autumn, these leaves transition to appealing shades of red and purple, enhancing the plant’s seasonal allure.
Planting and Site Selection
Successful establishment of Viburnum ‘Molly Schroeder’ begins with thoughtful planting and site selection. Optimal planting times are typically fall or spring, allowing the shrub to establish its root system before extreme weather. This viburnum thrives in full sun to partial shade, ideally ensuring at least six hours of daily sunlight for best flowering and foliage color. Afternoon shade can be beneficial in warmer climates to protect the plant from intense heat.
The shrub prefers fertile, humus-rich, and well-drained soil. While adaptable to a range of soil types, it performs best in loamy to sandy soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Avoid heavy clay soils or areas with poor drainage, as these hinder root development and overall plant health. When planting, prepare a hole about twice the width of the root ball and of similar depth, setting the plant at its nursery level. After placing, backfill and water thoroughly to settle the soil.
Ongoing Care
Consistent ongoing care helps ‘Molly Schroeder’ thrive and display its full ornamental potential. This viburnum has moderate water requirements and benefits from deep watering, especially during dry periods, typically once a week. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist, but not waterlogged, to prevent issues like root rot from overwatering or poor drainage. Once established, the shrub shows some drought tolerance, but regular moisture supports its best performance.
Fertilization contributes to vigorous growth and abundant flowering. Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring as the plant begins its active growth cycle. Avoid excessive fertilization, which can lead to lush foliage at the expense of flower production. A spring mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost around the base can also enrich the soil and help retain moisture.
Pruning is best performed immediately after the spring flowering period since ‘Molly Schroeder’ blooms on old wood. This timing allows for shaping the plant and removing any dead, damaged, or crossing branches without sacrificing next season’s blooms. Light pruning to maintain its natural, elegant form is generally sufficient, as heavy pruning can reduce flowering. Periodically removing some of the oldest stems at the base can encourage new, more vigorous growth and maintain the shrub’s youthful appearance.
Propagation
Propagating Viburnum ‘Molly Schroeder’ allows gardeners to expand their collection or share this attractive shrub. The most common and effective method is through softwood cuttings. These are typically taken in early summer when new growth is flexible but firm enough to snap when bent. Select healthy, non-flowering shoots for best rooting material.
Each cutting should be 4 to 6 inches long, taken from a branch tip. Remove leaves from the lower half, and dip the cut end in rooting hormone to encourage root development. Insert cuttings into a well-draining rooting medium, such as peat and perlite, ensuring good contact. Consistent moisture and high humidity, perhaps under a plastic dome, will promote rooting over several weeks.
Common Issues and Solutions
While generally robust, ‘Molly Schroeder’ can face common garden issues. Pests like aphids, scale insects, thrips, and the viburnum leaf beetle may appear on new growth or undersides of leaves. The viburnum leaf beetle is another pest to watch for, as its larvae and adults can skeletonize foliage. Minor infestations can often be managed with a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap; more severe cases may require targeted organic or chemical treatments.
Diseases are less frequent but can include leaf spot, root rot, powdery mildew, and botrytis. Leaf spot manifests as discolored spots on foliage, while powdery mildew appears as a white, powdery coating, especially in humid conditions. Root rot usually results from poor drainage or overwatering, causing wilting and decline. Ensuring proper air circulation and well-drained soil can help prevent many fungal issues. If diseases occur, remove affected plant parts, and apply appropriate fungicides following label instructions.