Adding a hanging arrowwood viburnum shrub is a great way to freshen up your outdoor space. This versatile shrub offers graceful cascading branches, vibrant foliage and fragrant blooms. In this article, we’ll discuss how you can use arrowwood viburnum to enhance your garden, patio, or balcony with a refreshing pop of natural beauty.
Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is a deciduous shrub belonging to the Adoxaceae family It’s native to eastern North America This shrub is prized by gardeners for its ornamental qualities
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Cascading, arching branches that give it a graceful, weeping form.
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Oval, toothed leaves that emerge shiny green in spring and turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and purple in fall.
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Clusters of small, white flowers in late spring that give off a lovely, sweet scent.
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Blue-black berries in late summer/early fall that attract songbirds.
The arching branches that give arrowwood viburnum its common name are its most unique feature. These spreading, vase-shaped limbs create a fountain-like profile that adds fluid, natural lines to the landscape.
Arrowwood Viburnum as a Hanging Shrub
The weeping habit of arrowwood viburnum makes it perfectly suited for use as a hanging shrub. Here are some key benefits of using it this way:
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Adds height and drama. The cascading branches provide vertical interest, drawing the eye upward and breaking up flat, one-dimensional spaces.
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Softens hardscapes. The delicate foliage and flowers contrast beautifully against walls, fences, and other structures, helping to soften those hard surfaces.
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Provides privacy. Planted in containers along a balcony or patio, arrowwood viburnum’s leaves and branches form a living screen to increase privacy.
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Attracts pollinators. Butterflies and hummingbirds will flock to the nectar-rich blossoms.
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Easy to position. Container-grown arrowwood viburnum can be moved around to reposition as needed for seasonal interest or privacy.
Where to Use Hanging Arrowwood Viburnum
Here are some of the best ways to utilize hanging arrowwood viburnum shrubs:
Cascading Over Walls and Fences
Plant arrowwood viburnum along a fence or wall and let the branches weep gracefully over the edges. This looks beautiful along property lines or to soften the harsh lines of an alleyway.
Hanging Over Patios and Walkways
Situate containers of arrowwood viburnum along patios, decks, or paths. Let the branches drape down overhead to form a leafy canopy that adds dappled shade.
Accenting Entryways
Welcome guests with the beauty of arrowwood viburnum at your front or back entryway. Flank doors or line walkways with container plantings.
Directing Flow in Gardens
Use arrowwood viburnum as living architecture in garden beds. Position the shrubs to direct foot traffic and draw the eye to focal points.
Enhancing Container Gardens
Add height and natural elegance to container plantings on balconies or patios. Combine arrowwood viburnum with lower-growing annuals and perennials.
Creating Privacy Screens
Line your yard, patio or deck with arrowwood viburnum in containers to establish impromptu privacy screens or living walls.
Caring for Arrowwood Viburnum
To keep your arrowwood viburnum looking lush and healthy as a hanging shrub, provide these simple care practices:
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Plant in moist but well-draining acidic soil. Amend soil with compost as needed.
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Situate in partial sun to full sun. Shade from hot afternoon sun is ideal.
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Water regularly until established. Mature plants are somewhat drought tolerant.
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Apply slow-release fertilizer in early spring to encourage growth and flowering.
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Prune annually after flowering to maintain shape and vigor.
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Monitor for pests like viburnum leaf beetle and treat organically as needed.
Add Graceful Appeal with Hanging Arrowwood Viburnum
With its flowing, weeping branches and stellar ornamental traits like clusters of spring blooms and fall color, arrowwood viburnum is a stellar choice as a hanging shrub. Use it in containers or garden beds to freshen up your landscape with refreshing, natural elegance. Position arrowwood viburnum as living curtains, welcoming entry accents, patio enhancers, and more. You’ll love how this versatile, easy-care shrub can transform your outdoor living space.
Which Tree is Right for Me?
With the option of ordering either standard or semi-dwarf trees and either bare-root or potted, be sure to consider the benefits of each option when deciding which is best for you.
- Also functions as a shade tree
- Can be planted farther from compatible pollinator
- Fills a larger space
- Easier to harvest fruit
- Bears fruit sooner
- Fits in a smaller space
Planting Arrowwood Viburnums Used as a Hedge
FAQ
What is arrowwood viburnum good for?
Where is the best place to plant arrowwood viburnum?
How to use Viburnum in landscape?
How fast does arrowwood viburnum grow?
Should arrowwood Viburnum be pruned?
Arrowwood viburnum shrubs don’t need extensive pruning. Right after the plant is done flowering, prune any stems necessary to maintain the shrub’s shape. Avoid taking off more than a third of the shrub’s overall size. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased portions of the shrub whenever you spot them.
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 care for arrowwood Viburnum?
Fertilize annually in the spring with balanced, slow-release fertilizer or compost. Arrowwood viburnum grows well in full sunlight to partial shade, meaning it needs at least roughly 4 hours of direct sunlight on most days. In hot climates, shade from the strong afternoon sun is ideal. Too little sun can impede flowering.
How do you grow arrowwood Viburnum?
Plant arrowwood viburnum in spring or fall in a sunny or partially shaded area large enough to accommodate the plant at maturity. Arrowood viburnum needs consistently moist soil with average fertility but grows in a variety of soils, including alkaline. Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) makes an ideal formal hedge or informal shrub.