Tea Viburnum: A Beautiful but Problematic Non-Native Shrub
Tea viburnum (Viburnum setigerum) might catch your eye with its clusters of white flowers and bright red berries, but this Asian import comes with some serious baggage that every responsible gardener should know about. While it’s certainly attractive, this perennial shrub has earned itself a Watch status on Delaware’s invasive species list—and for good reason.
What Is Tea Viburnum?
Tea viburnum is a multi-stemmed woody shrub that typically grows 13 to 16 feet tall, though it can sometimes reach greater heights depending on growing conditions. Originally from China and eastern Asia, this deciduous shrub has made itself quite at home in parts of the northeastern United States, where it now grows wild in Connecticut, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
As a non-native species, tea viburnum has proven it can reproduce and spread on its own without any help from gardeners—which is exactly what makes it problematic in our native ecosystems.
The Problem with Tea Viburnum
Here’s where things get concerning: tea viburnum has been flagged as an invasive species to watch in Delaware, and it’s already established populations across multiple states. When non-native plants like this escape cultivation, they can:
- Outcompete native plants for resources
- Disrupt local ecosystems
- Reduce food sources for native wildlife
- Alter soil chemistry and growing conditions
While tea viburnum does provide some benefits to pollinators with its white flower clusters in late spring, and birds may eat its red-to-black berries, these benefits don’t outweigh the potential ecological harm.
Why You Should Skip This Shrub
Given its invasive potential and track record of spreading beyond gardens, we strongly recommend against planting tea viburnum. There are so many fantastic native alternatives that can give you similar aesthetic appeal without the environmental concerns.
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of tea viburnum, consider these native viburnum species that offer similar beauty without the invasive baggage:
- Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) – Hardy zones 3-8, white flowers, blue berries
- Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) – Hardy zones 2-8, fragrant white flowers, blue-black berries
- American cranberrybush (Viburnum trilobum) – Hardy zones 2-7, white flowers, bright red berries
These native alternatives will provide similar visual interest while supporting local ecosystems and wildlife in ways that non-native species simply can’t match.
If You Already Have Tea Viburnum
If you currently have tea viburnum in your landscape, consider removing it and replacing it with a native alternative. When removing the plant:
- Remove the entire root system to prevent regrowth
- Dispose of plant material in municipal yard waste, not in compost
- Monitor the area for any new seedlings that may emerge
- Plant native alternatives to fill the ecological niche
The Bottom Line
While tea viburnum might seem like an attractive addition to your garden, its invasive potential makes it a poor choice for environmentally conscious gardeners. With so many beautiful native alternatives available, there’s simply no need to take the risk. Your local ecosystem—and future generations of gardeners—will thank you for making the responsible choice.
