Sometimes there comes along a plant that is just a gardener’s dream. Beautiful during the growing season, native, great for pollinators, great for birds, useful in the landscape, and overall easy to care for. I’ve got you hooked already don’t I? This plant would be a member of one of my favorite groups of plants: the viburnums. Viburnum dentatum aka Arrowwood viburnum is the plant of which I speak so let me tell you a little bit more about this beautiful garden shrub!
Growing arrowwood viburnum shrubs from seeds can be an extremely rewarding endeavor for any gardener. This versatile plant produces beautiful clusters of white flowers and vibrant blue berries that can add great visual interest to landscapes. However proper seed storage sowing, and germination techniques are crucial for success. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the entire process step-by-step to help you cultivate arrowwood viburnum shrubs from seeds.
An Overview of Arrowwood Viburnum
Before diving into seed specifics, let’s briefly go over some key information about the arrowwood viburnum shrub itself. This will provide helpful context for understanding optimal growing conditions.
- Botanical name – Viburnum dentatum
- Plant type – Deciduous shrub
- Mature size – Typically grows 5-10 feet tall and wide
- Sun exposure – Thrives in full sun to partial shade
- Soil – Prefers moist, well-draining, acidic soil
- Hardiness zones – Can be grown in zones 2-8
- Origins – Native to eastern North America
As you can see, arrowwood viburnum is a cold-hardy shrub well-suited to a wide range of climates and soil types. This versatility makes it a great choice for many gardens. Now let’s get into the specifics of working with seeds.
Collecting and Storing Arrowwood Viburnum Seeds
The first step is collecting ripe seeds from existing arrowwood viburnum shrubs in late summer or early fall Here is a summary of the seed harvesting and storage process
- Harvesting – Collect berries when they are dark blue and slightly soft.
- Cleaning – Remove seeds from berries and rinse away pulp/debris.
- Drying – Spread seeds on a screen/towel to air dry for 1-2 weeks.
- Storage – Place dried seeds in a paper envelope or breathable container.
- Ideal conditions – Store in a cool, dark place with low humidity.
Proper drying and storage keeps seeds viable for up to two years. Always source seeds from healthy, mature shrubs for the best chance of viability.
Understanding Arrowwood Viburnum Seed Stratification
Arrowwood viburnum seeds require a period of cold stratification before they will germinate This mimics natural winter conditions and helps break down germination inhibitors,
You can stratify seeds by placing them in moist peat or sand and storing in the refrigerator for 2-3 months before sowing. Maintain a temperature around 35-40°F. This cold treatment will help improve germination rates later on.
Selecting the Best Potting Mix
The potting mix you use for sowing arrowwood viburnum seeds is critical. A lightweight, well-draining mix will provide the ideal balance of moisture retention and drainage.
Look for a mix containing ingredients like:
- Peat moss
- Perlite
- Vermiculite
- Coir or compost
Make sure your mix is sterile and formulated for seeds/cuttings. Moisten it before sowing so it is damp but not soaked.
Sowing Arrowwood Viburnum Seeds
Once you have stratified and prepared your seeds, it’s time to sow them. Follow these steps for success:
- Fill containers with moistened seed starting mix. 4-inch pots work well.
- Plant seeds at a shallow depth of 1⁄4 inch. Space evenly.
- Gently water with a spray bottle to avoid displacing seeds.
- Place containers in a warm area with 70-75°F temperature.
- Provide consistent moisture and humidity.
- Be patient! Germination takes 2-3 months.
Maintain optimal conditions and wait for seedlings to emerge. Resist digging up seeds to check them.
Caring for Arrowwood Viburnum Seedlings
Once your arrowwood viburnum seeds begin to sprout, you will have tiny seedlings to care for. Follow these tips during this critical stage:
- Provide ample filtered light from a southern window.
- Keep soil moist but not saturated.
- Begin fertilizing at half strength around 4 weeks after sprouting.
- Monitor for pests like aphids or fungus gnats.
- Transplant into larger containers when roots fill current pots.
Proper seedling care results in strong, healthy young shrubs ready for the garden. Gradually harden them off before transplanting outdoors.
Transplanting Arrowwood Viburnum Seedlings
Your homegrown arrowwood viburnum seedlings will eventually outgrow their pots and be ready for transplanting. Follow these guidelines when moving them into the garden:
- Harden off seedlings for 7-10 days before transplanting.
- Choose a site with full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil.
- Dig holes twice as wide as the root ball but equal depth.
- Carefully remove from pots and place in holes. Spread roots.
- Backfill holes with native soil, tamping gently to remove air pockets.
- Water thoroughly after planting and as needed until established.
- Space plants 5-6 feet apart to allow for mature spread.
With attentive planting and post-transplant care, your arrowwood viburnum seedlings will flourish for years to come.
Troubleshooting Arrowwood Viburnum Seed Germination Issues
Despite your best efforts, you may sometimes struggle to get arrowwood viburnum seeds to germinate well. Here are some potential issues and solutions:
Seeds failing to sprout:
- Give seeds a longer cold stratification period before sowing.
- Ensure sowing depth is no more than 1⁄4 inch. Seeds buried too deep will not germinate.
- Check seed viability and source new seeds if necessary.
Seedlings dying shortly after sprouting:
- Avoid overwatering which can cause damping off disease.
- Maintain warm temperature of 70-75°F for young seedlings.
- Upgrade lighting if seedlings appear spindly/weak.
- Rule out pests or fungal issues.
Seedlings becoming root bound:
- Monitor roots growth and transplant to larger pots when necessary.
- Gently loosen any circled exterior roots before repotting.
Final Tips for Arrowwood Viburnum Seed Success
In closing, here are a few final tips to help ensure success with arrowwood viburnum seeds:
- Start with high quality, fresh seeds from reputable sources.
- Follow proper stratification, sowing, moisture, and temperature recommendations.
- Provide even moisture and humidity, especially right after sowing.
- Allow 2-3 months from sowing to germination. Be patient!
- Handle seedlings with care and provide optimal growing conditions.
- Gradually harden off and properly transplant seedlings at correct spacing when mature enough.
While growing arrowwood viburnum from seeds takes time and diligence, the rewards are well worth the effort. With the helpful guidance in this article, you can successfully propagate these beautiful, bird-friendly shrubs to enhance your garden. Let us know if you have any other questions! We wish you the best of luck with your arrowwood viburnum seed growing journey.
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Common Problems with Arrowwood Viburnum
Arrowwood viburnum is very trouble free (in my experience at least) however viburnums can suffer from a variety problems. Most of these issues are easily handled with a treatment regime. Check out the table below for some common viburnum problems.
| Issue | Symptoms | Cause | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fungal diseases | Brown, reddish, or gray spots on leaves | Various fungi | Rarely serious, mostly aesthetic – Fungicide if severe |
| Yellow patches on upper leaf surface, purplish mold on underside | Downy mildew (favors cool, wet conditions) | Pruning affected leaves – Fungicide if severe | |
| White, powdery growth on leaves | Powdery mildew | Rarely serious, mostly aesthetic – Fungicide if severe | |
| Dead areas (cankers) on branches | Botryosphaeria dieback and canker (affects stressed plants) | Prune affected branches – Improve plant health | |
| Pests | Leaf curling and distortion | Aphids | Insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Bumps on leaves | Scales | Insecticidal soap or neem oil | |
| Foliage and flower damage | Japanese beetles | Handpicking – Insecticidal soap or neem oil | |
| Abiotic problems | Wilting leaves | Excessive drought or water stress | Adjust watering according to needs |
| Brown patches on leaves | Too much sun exposure | Provide shade if necessary | |
| Yellowing leaves | Nutrient deficiency (iron) | Soil test and apply appropriate fertilizer |
Japanese beetles rarely did much damage to my viburnums. They seemed to prefer our grape vines and roses. I never noticed aphids or any of the other issues. That isn’t to say it isn’t possible for a plant to have these problems but I suspect they are extremely rare.
Growing Conditions for Arrowwood Viburnum
Arrowwood viburnum grows in full sun locations with well drained soil. It’s very tolerant of soils as it will grow in clay soil, sandy soil, and everything in between but ideally would be in a nice rich loamy soil. I have several of these viburnums on our property that are sited in sun and in shade and the ones in sunlight perform best. A full sun location will encourage more blooms and more berries.
The blue berries that form on arrowwood viburnums are excellent for wildlife. The birds devour the fruit within a couple days of ripening leaving only the stubby remains of the stem behind. That’s OK though because that is exactly why Viburnum dentatum needs to be planted. This viburnum is a United States native plant. As gardeners we need to make an effort to add native plants like viburnums in place of invasives. Invasive plants take up land space and displace plants that would be feeding and nourishing our wildlife. Every little bit helps.
Arrowwood Viburnum Shrubs – Tn Nursery
FAQ
How do you grow Arrowwood Viburnum from seed?
How to propagate arrowwood?
Where is the best place to plant a viburnum?
How far apart should I plant Arrowwood Viburnum?
How long does arrowwood Viburnum take to root?
Arrowwood Viburnum after being rooted in sand. My favorite way to make more arrowwood viburnums is through cuttings. Cuttings root extremely well and you can do many cuttings of this plant at a time. A 4 to 6 inch cutting taken with a node at the bottom should root in less than 4 weeks.
Is arrowwood Viburnum a good plant?
Arrowwood Viburnum is a perfect plant for beginner gardeners. It thrives in a wide range of sunlight—from full sun to part shade. Once you’ve found a spot to plant one… Choose a location with well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
How do you grow arrowwood Viburnum?
Arrowwood viburnum has many flexible young stems that you can bend over and pin the soil. If you shave a little of the bark layer off just under a node and down to the cambium layer then pin that part under the soil the plant will form roots at that location underneath a node. Arrowwood Viburnum after being rooted in sand.
Can Arrowood Viburnum be potted?
Arrowood viburnum is too large to work well as a container plant. For a potted plant, choose a dwarf variety such as witherod viburnum ‘ Lil’ Ditty’, a cultivar of Viburnum cassinoides. Pot the plant in moist, well-drained soil with an acidic pH.