This is the most common cultivar of the Smooth Witherrod used in the Mid-Atlantic. It is sold in the Chicago, IL area, as at a diverse conventional nursery called The Growing Place in Naperville & Aurora, IL. A lot of the literature says it does not tolerate chalky or alkaline soils, but it is alright a little above pH 7.0, as the Chicago area has mostly pH about 6.8 to 7.1 on the surface. It is a high quality shrub that is very neat and clean with several great characteristics. This cultivar was selected from Winterthur Gardens in northern Delaware for its compact form, good fruit set, and more intense fall color. It is a good idea to get another cultivar or use a plant of the straight species to cross pollinate for greater fruit set, but it is self-fertile.

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'Winterthur' is an improved variety of Smooth Witherod, or Possum Haw, from Winterthur Gardens in Delaware. It grows naturally in moist places throughout the southeast. Growing 5 to 7 feet high and wide with dense, compact branching, 'Winterthur' has 3 to 4 inch long, waxy, lustrous deep-green leaves that turn a gorgeous reddish-purple in fall before falling off. The creamy white pie-shaped flower clusters appear in early summer and are followed by white berries that change to deep purple-black in fall. For best berry production, plant a Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides with it. Grow it in full sun to light shade and average to moist soil. (Sunlight Gardens)

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This plant was installed as a companion to a 'Brandywine' 4 years ago. The leaves are shiny and smooth textured. The plant does not berry nearly as well as the 'Brandywine'. This year it has experienced its heaviest berry crop and it was still less than its pollination partner. I do have a volunteer nudum growing close by, so hopefully that will help when it's old enough. Fall color on this one is gorgeous, as you can see in my photo. It's a very beautiful and carefree shrub.

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