With its bursts of fragrant white blooms in spring and clusters of blue-black berries that attract songbirds in fall arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is a stellar addition to any garden. As a versatile low-maintenance shrub native to North America, arrowwood viburnum can be grown successfully in a wide range of climates and soil conditions. By following some simple care and cultivation tips, you can keep your arrowwood viburnum healthy and looking its best throughout the seasons.
Selecting the Right Location
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Arrowwood viburnum thrives in full sun to partial shade. In hot climates, provide afternoon shade for best growth.
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Choose a site with good drainage and fertile soil. Avoid soggy or wet sites.
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Give arrowwood viburnum enough room to reach its mature size. Space plants 5-10 feet apart depending on variety.
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For hedges or screens space 3 feet apart. You may need to prune to maintain density.
Planting Your Shrub
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Purchase young potted or bare root plants in spring or fall.
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Before planting, prepare soil by loosening and mixing in compost or aged manure.
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Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball. Place plant at same depth as in pot.
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Backfill hole with soil, tamping gently to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting.
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Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around base to conserve moisture and reduce weeds.
Watering Needs
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Water new plants regularly until established, about 1-2 inches per week.
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Once established, arrowwood viburnum is quite drought tolerant. Water during extended dry periods.
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Give plants a deep soaking to moisten soil to a depth of 8-10 inches. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.
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Mulch around plants to reduce water needs and prevent soil from drying out.
Feeding and Fertilizing
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In rich soil, arrowwood viburnum may not need supplemental feeding.
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To boost growth, apply balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Follow label rates.
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Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that spur leggy growth. Use low-nitrogen formulas.
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In poor soils, a second application in midsummer may be beneficial.
Pruning for Shape and Growth
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Prune arrowwood viburnum in late winter to early spring before new growth emerges.
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Remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches using sharp bypass pruners.
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You can thin inner branches to open up interior to light and air circulation.
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Renewal pruning isn’t necessary but you can cut 1/3 of oldest branches to the ground to rejuvenate.
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Avoid shearing or trimming hedges after mid-summer, as this removes next year’s flower buds.
Dealing With Pests and Diseases
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Arrowwood viburnum is relatively pest and disease free if grown in optimal conditions.
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Aphids, lace bugs, scale and leaf spot may occur but are usually minor. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
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Prevent fungal issues like powdery mildew by providing good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering.
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Pick off egg clusters, caterpillars or beetles by hand to control infestations. As a last resort, use Bt or insecticides.
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Promote plant health with proper care and sanitation practices to prevent most problems.
Enjoying the Benefits
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Arrowwood viburnum offers multi-season beauty with lush foliage, floral display and fall color.
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Berries are relished by over 20 species of songbirds. Plant to attract wildlife to your garden.
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Use arrowwood viburnum as a specimen plant, hedge or screen. It fits easily into diverse landscapes.
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Choose compact varieties like ‘Blue Muffin’ for smaller spaces or border plantings.
Growing arrowwood viburnum is easy with proper siting, planting, watering and pruning. Give this carefree native shrub a spot in your garden and enjoy its beauty and versatility for years to come.
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More Items to Consider
Mature Plant Size (H x W): 8-10 x 8-10
Key features
- Attracts Bees
- Attracts Birds
- Deer Resistant
- Native
- Stone Mulch
- Walnut Toxicity Resistant
- Attracts Butterflies
- Cut Flower
Planting Care chevron-up chevron-down
Planting & Care for Deciduous Shrub – Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)
- Plant in March, May to November.
- Arrowwood viburnum shrubs need at least half a day’s full sunshine to prosper.
- Shield large-flowering varieties from cold wind.
- This native plant prefers well-drained soil enriched with well-rotted organic matter several weeks before planting.
- In light soils that dry out quickly, mulch in spring with moisture-conserving, bulky organics to keep roots cool and active.
- Bare Root: Cut open the bundle (top and roots are tied) and separate all the plants. Soak roots in buckets of water until planted. Each plant type will be labeled separately for identification. Keep the roots from full sun since they should never dry out. Keep roots covered. All bare-root plants must be trimmed when planted.
- Grow Bags: Remove the bag by using a utility knife to slit up the side and peel off the fabric exposing the soil and roots. Plant the root ball just like you would a container plant. No trimming of roots is necessary for grow bags.
- B&B: Soak root ball well. Dig a hole at least 6″ wider and no deeper than the size of the ball on the plant. Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move trees by the tops.
- Containers: Completely saturate all container plants by putting them in a larger water container until bubbling stops. Remove the plant, then dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container, ensuring it’s wider on the sides by an additional 6” or more.
- You can plant this bare root in fall or spring. A good indicator of whether you can still plant is if the ground is still workable. If a hard frost is expected, hold off on planting.
- Dig a hole at least 6″ wider and the same depth as the root mass. The crown or graft of the plant should be slightly higher than ground level where it was grown at the nursery.
- Trim off the broken roots and branches.
- Place fertilizer packets in the hole (if purchased). Do not place other fertilizers in the planting hole. *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Spread the roots and fill halfway with soil, then water until the soil settles completely, saturating the soil and planting pit.
- Re-adjust the plant and fill the hole with the rest of the soil.
- Backfill the balance of the soil and water well.
- Plant B&B trees in spring or fall. A good indicator of whether you can still plant is if the ground is still workable. If a hard frost is expected, hold off on planting.
- Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. Add soil under the ball so the root flare is exposed if necessary.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Backfill ½ of the hole with soil and completely saturate the soil with water.
- Once the tree is straight in the proper location, cut and remove twine. Then, remove or bend back the top of the metal basket. Lastly, remove the exposed burlap from the top of the ball.
- Fill the hole to the top of the ball with soil, then soak well with water and let settle.
- The top of the root ball should be visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
- Add mulch on top of the soil, making sure not to put mulch against the trunk or stems.
- Plant in March or May to November.
- Dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container and 6″ or wider on the sides.
- Slide the plant from the pot by tapping on the bottom of the pot.
- With a shovel or knife, trim the bottom 2″ off the root ball for plants in plastic containers.
- Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move plants by the tops. Place the root ball in the hole.
- Adjust the plant height so the root crown is slightly higher than the ground.
- Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. Add soil under the ball so the root flare is exposed if necessary.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Backfill the hole with soil, ensuring the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
- Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.
- Check out our Planting & Handling Guide for more planting information and illustrations.
- Plant grow bags in spring or fall.
- Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. Add soil under the ball so the root flare is exposed if necessary.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Backfill the hole with soil, ensuring the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
- Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.
- Bare Root: Prune ALL bare root plants to reduce transplant shock and ensure successful planting. Pruning should occur as soon as possible, before or after planting, and with sharp pruning shears.
- B&B, Grow Bags, and Containers: Although it’s not essential after planting, light pruning can help shape an Arrowwood viburnum shrub. Doing so removes any broken branches from shipping or thins out a heavily branched plant to assist in the transplanting process and the appearance of your new planting.
- Prune in April and July.
- Trim shoots lightly in early spring.
- Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
- Beyond the six-week establishment period, water once per week unless rain occurs.
- Remember to check soil moisture by sticking your finger into the soil around 3”.
- After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
- How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it’s dry, give it a good soak with the hose end (no nozzle), watering the soil only, not the leaves.
- Same as after planting, stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.
Arrowwood Viburnum Shrubs – Tn Nursery
FAQ
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