Lanky Yet Lovely

Have you recently noticed woodland shrubs with large, showy clusters of bright white flowers? If so, then you've probably seen hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides).

This common shrub is just beginning to bloom. The large flowers on the edges of the clusters open first, and the cluster becomes fragrant as the smaller, inner flowers open. Each flat cluster is framed by two wide, heart-shaped leaves.

The flowers will eventually give way to bright-red berries in late summer and autumn. The berries have a taste similar to raisins, and become darker as they ripen. The berries can be picked and eaten right off the plant, or turned into jelly. 

The shrub itself is a straggly affair. Drooping, spindly branches eventually bend to the ground, sprout roots, and grow back upward again. Over time, a single plant may grow into a tangled mess. Hobblebush thickets provide useful cover for small mammals and birds, although the many-rooted branches can easily trip (or hobble) distracted hikers.

The large, bright green leaves turn a deep purple-red in autumn. Hobblebushes don't look very impressive in winter, although the lanky branches are a favorite winter browse for deer.

Enjoy the showy flowers of hobblebush in spring, the tasty fruit in late summer, and the colorful leaves in the fall. And try not to trip over the branches in winter, before they're covered by a blanket of snow.