Viburnum plicatum First Editions® Opening Day™ ('PIIVIB-II' PP28958)
Overview
Uses: Specimen, mixed borders, hedges, screens, foundation plantings.
Benefits: Baseball-sized snowball flower clusters cover the shrub in mid to late spring, opening with a green tinge before maturing to pure white. Dark green, deeply corrugated foliage provides strong texture through summer and turns deep red to burgundy in fall. Compact, rounded form and medium growth rate make it manageable in a wide range of landscape settings.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Deciduous Shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, Rounded — densely branched with a spreading canopy.
Bloom Color: White
Foliage Color: Green, turning red in fall
Mature Height: 5–10 feet
Mature Width: 5–8 feet
Bloom Season: Mid to late spring
Growth Rate: Moderate
Summary
Opening Day™ Doublefile Viburnum delivers one of the most impressive spring flower displays of any landscape shrub. In mid to late spring, the branches are covered with large, rounded clusters of sterile flowers that open with a soft green tint and mature to pure white. The effect is striking — a dense, layered canopy of snowball-like blooms that lasts for weeks and makes excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
Below the blooms, the deeply corrugated, dark green foliage adds rich texture and visual weight that keeps the plant attractive long after flowering ends. Red-tinted petioles add a subtle design detail that sets Opening Day™ apart from other doublefile viburnums. In fall, the foliage shifts to deep cabernet red and burgundy tones, providing a second season of strong color.
Developed by First Editions® in Georgia, Opening Day™ was selected for its abundant flowering, compact habit, and superior fall color. It is a low-maintenance, disease-resistant shrub that performs well in full sun to partial shade and adapts to a variety of soil types.
Care
Opening Day™ Doublefile Viburnum Care
Plant Opening Day™ in full sun to partial shade. It flowers best with at least four to six hours of sunlight but tolerates more shade than many flowering shrubs. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and adapts to a range of types from sandy to clay. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
Water regularly during the first two growing seasons to establish a strong root system. Once established, maintain average moisture — this viburnum handles normal garden conditions well but does not tolerate prolonged drought without leaf stress. A layer of mulch helps conserve moisture. Fertilize in spring with a slow release fertilizer to support vigorous growth and abundant flowering.
Prune immediately after flowering if needed, as Opening Day™ blooms on old wood. Avoid fall or winter pruning to preserve next spring’s flower buds. The plant naturally develops a dense, rounded form that requires minimal shaping.
Size
What Size is the Opening Day™ Doublefile Viburnum for Sale Online?
Our Opening Day™ Doublefile Viburnum ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Opening Day™ Doublefile Viburnum Grow?
Opening Day™ typically reaches 5 to 10 feet tall with a spread of 5 to 8 feet, forming a dense, rounded shrub with a layered branching structure.
Additional Information
Does Opening Day™ produce berries?
Opening Day™ produces sterile flowers, so it does not typically set fruit. This means no messy berry drop, but it also means this selection is not a food source for birds. Its dense branching still provides valuable shelter and nesting habitat for songbirds.
Is Opening Day™ deer resistant?
Yes. Doublefile viburnums are generally left alone by deer in favor of other browse. Opening Day™ is considered deer resistant and is a dependable option for landscapes with browsing pressure. Explore our Deer-Resistant Shrubs and Evergreens collection for more options.
What makes Opening Day™ different from other doublefile viburnums?
Opening Day™ was selected for its large, baseball-sized flower clusters, superior fall color in deep red tones, and distinctive corrugated foliage with red petioles. It also tends to be more compact than the species, making it suitable for smaller garden spaces. Browse our Shrubs & Bushes collection for companion shrubs.
