Plant ID - Ask Extension
I have a viburnum plant in my yard it flowers and smells very sweet and perfume like. I’ve tried identifying it through two apps one says it’s a s...
Knowledgebase
Plant ID #930687
Asked May 05, 2026, 12:44 PM EDT
I have a viburnum plant in my yard it flowers and smells very sweet and perfume like. I’ve tried identifying it through two apps one says it’s a snowball one says it’s Korean spice. I was wondering if you could tell me for sure?
Genesee County Michigan
Expert Response
It looks like you have a Viburnum carlesii, a species of viburnum commonly called Korean spice viburnum. I would say it is definitely not Viburnum opulus, which is commonly called a snowball viburnum.
Viburnum carlesii has much stiffer flowers than Viburnum opulus and it is wonderfully fragrant. Viburnum opulus (snowball bush) has no scent.
If you would like to buy more of this shrub, there are several introductions to choose from, some which have more pink flowers and/or are more compact (dwarf, rounded shape).
