Doublefile Viburnum - And Finding Treeform Sports - April 2022

Last week, I wandered around the shrub section over at Hinsdale Nursery to figure out what they were going to be carrying this season in terms of hydrangeas, viburnum, various evergreens and even a fothergilla that I spotted at the Morton Arboretum.  As part of the various backyard bed 'slices' and the 'explorations' that I did a few weeks back, I ended up with a shopping list of sorts that included upright evergreens and a bunch of flowering shrubs.  On that list was four Chicago Lustre Arrowwood Viburnum - two along the north fence, two along the back.  They would go along with the two that I planted last year.   While at the nursery, I found a whole bunch of Viburum that I found interesting and decided that I should think about using some alternatives.  One of the varities that really captured my interest was this (below) Doublefile Viburnum - Viburnum Plicatum Tomentosum 'Mariesii'.  

The listing calls out a few features:  tiered, horizontal, 'layered look', 'magificent in bloom'.  They also mention that when placing these Viburnum, you need to 'allow full spread for this plant as pruning will spoil the look'.   It calls for a 6' to 10' spread.  

I really liked the look of these and thought they'd be great as one of the layers in the back of our beds.  So, imagine my delight when I was at Menards this past weekend when I came across their stock of various trees and shrubs and it included a Doublefile Viburnum.  But, it was actually a bit more interesting:  these were in 'tree form'.  

Have a look at one of these Doublefile Viburnum - plicatum tomentosum -  below as it stands in the nursery container.  It stands with a trunk that is 3' tall with a shrub on top:

And, here's the tag hanging on these below.  One big note:  the tag categorizes them as a 'flowering shrub' - so these four go in that Priority #1 shrub column. 

Here's another one of the four (below).  

My current plan is to place TWO of these along the north fence line.  And two in the back by the west fence line - to provide a little bit of screening  back by the fire pit area.  When I get them dug in, I'll share photos of their new homes.