Arrowwood viburnum, also known as southern arrowwood, is a fairly small flowering shrub featuring an upright, rounded shape with stems of glossy green and oval foliage with toothed edges. This shrub bears showy white flowers and blue-black fruits. Arrowwood viburnum thrives in temperate conditions, preferring full or partial sunlight and moist but well-draining acidic soil.
The arrowwood viburnum shrub is a popular choice for gardens and landscapes. With lush green foliage, clusters of white flowers, and berries that attract birds, it’s easy to see why this native shrub is a favorite. But did you know there are actually several different types of arrowwood viburnum? Each variety has its own unique characteristics. In this article, we’ll explore the most common types so you can find the perfect arrowwood viburnum for your needs.
Southern Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)
One of the most popular types is the southern arrowwood, also known by its scientific name Viburnum dentatum. This multi-stemmed shrub thrives across eastern North America. It typically grows 10-15 feet tall and wide, making it an excellent choice for hedges or screening.
The leaves are a lustrous dark green in summer, turning lovely shades of red, purple, and yellow in fall From May to early June, it produces flat-topped clusters of small, white flowers These are followed by blue-black berries in late summer that birds love. It’s relatively low maintenance and does well in various soil types.
Northern Arrowwood (Viburnum recognitum)
A more compact variety is the northern arrowwood or Viburnum recognitum. It reaches about 6-8 feet tall and wide at maturity ideal for smaller gardens or borders. The foliage is oval-shaped and emerges with a bronze-red tint before maturing to green.
In late spring, it blooms with creamy white flowers. The most striking feature of this shrub is its eye-catching blue berries in late summer. Northern arrowwood tolerates partial shade well and is easy to grow.
Leatherleaf Viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum)
Also called evergreen viburnum, this arrowwood variety has leathery, wrinkled dark green leaves that retain their color all year. It can reach 6-10 feet tall and wide. The spring flowers are creamy-white but quite fragrant. Red berries develop in fall and persist through winter.
With its striking foliage, this shrub makes a beautiful focal point. It does well in sun to part shade locations and is shade tolerant. The leathery leaves are more resistant to pests and deer damage.
Possumhaw Viburnum (Viburnum nudum)
Common in the southeastern United States, the possumhaw viburnum puts on a striking floral display. It grows around 6-10 feet tall and wide, with glossy green leaves that turn fabulous shades of purple-red in fall.
Possumhaw viburnum is notable for its early display of white blooms in spring, starting as early as March in some areas. It produces vibrant pink to bluish-purple berries in late summer. This variety also tolerates wet soils quite well.
Compact Varieties
For smaller spaces, there are some more compact arrowwood viburnum varieties to consider. ‘CA Hildebrants’ only grows to about 4 feet tall and wide. It has excellent fall color with leaves turning deep red.
‘Chicago Luster’ is a bit larger at around 10 feet tall and wide, but is prized for its abundant white flowers and deep purple berries in fall. ‘Ralph Senior’ has a nice vase shape and creamy blooms resembling Queen Anne’s lace.
No matter which arrowwood viburnum variety you choose, it’s sure to provide multi-season beauty and appeal to birds in your garden. Take time to select the type that best fits your landscape needs and available space. Then enjoy the easy-care elegance of this diverse native shrub for years to come.
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Arrowwood Viburnum Care
This popular shrub is easy to care for and versatile. Here are the main care requirements for growing arrowwood viburnum:
- Choose a spot that receives full to partial sun (partial in hotter climates).
- Plant in loamy, moist, well-drained soil with an acidic pH.
- Water when the soil begins to dry out; some drought is tolerated.
- Cut back suckers as they grow to prevent spreading.
- Fertilize annually in the spring with balanced, slow-release fertilizer or compost.
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The Spruce / K. Dave
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Potting and Repotting Arrowwood Viburnum
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. If the plant visibly starts to outgrow its pot or roots begin growing from the top or bottom of the pot, repot it in a container one to two sizes larger.
Arrowwood Viburnum Shrubs – Tn Nursery
FAQ
What is the difference between northern and southern arrowwood?
How do I know which Viburnum I have?
Are there different varieties of Viburnum?
What is the name of the plant Arrowwood viburnum?
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.
Are arrowwood viburnums ornamental?
Viburnums are one of the most popular ornamental plants. Southern Arrowwood viburnums are no exception. These native North American plants have all the charm of their introduced cousins plus a hardiness to a variety of climates that makes them very useful in the landscape.
What is arrowwood Viburnum used for?
Arrowwood Viburnum ( Viburnum dentatum) is named for its wood, which grows very straight and was used by Native Americans to make arrows. The wood of Arrowwood Viburnum is strong and flexible, making it ideal for creating arrows for hunting. The wood of the shrub is also durable and is often used for making tool handles and other wooden objects.
Where do arrowwood viburnums grow?
Arrowwood Viburnum is native to a huge part of the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Southern United States. We know their name and their native range. Now, let’s focus on how Arrowwood Viburnums change throughout the year: Arrowwood Viburnums look fantastic no matter the season.