Intense Spring Fragrance on a Compact Shrub

Spice Baby Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii 'Spice Baby') is a compact Koreanspice viburnum grown for one unforgettable feature: its powerful, sweet spring fragrance. Rounded clusters of pink buds open to white, intensely perfumed snowball-like flowers that scent the whole garden, followed by glossy foliage that colors in fall. Its tidy size fits foundations and entryways, where the fragrance can be enjoyed up close. Tough and deer-resistant, it's a sensory delight for Edina, Maple Grove, and Woodbury gardens.

Landscape Uses

Plant Spice Baby near patios, entryways, and walkways where its spring fragrance can be enjoyed. It works beautifully in foundation plantings, mixed borders, and as a specimen, and the spring flowers feed early pollinators.

Best Time to Plant

Plant in spring or early fall, when cooler weather and steady moisture help roots establish.

How to Plant

Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the soil, backfill, water in well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep, keeping mulch off the stems.

Watering

First Year: Water deeply 2–3 times per week to establish the roots.
After Year One: Water during dry spells; it prefers average, well-drained soil.
Drip Irrigation: A drip line keeps the root zone evenly moist.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fragrant is it?
Very, Koreanspice viburnums are among the most powerfully fragrant spring shrubs, so site it where you'll enjoy the scent.

How big does it get?
About 4–5 feet, more compact than standard Koreanspice viburnum.

Is it hardy in Minnesota?
Yes, hardy to Zone 4 and reliable across most of the state.

Is it deer resistant?
Yes, viburnums are generally deer-resistant.

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Pair Spice Baby with our other viburnums and flowering shrubs near a patio or entry for fragrance and multi-season interest.