Viburnum dentatum

Common Names

Arrowwood Viburnum, Southern Arrowwood, Arrow-wood Viburnum, Roughish Arrowwood

Summary

Arrowwood viburnum, Viburnum dentatum, is a native deciduous shrub from eastern North America with a dense, multi-stemmed habit and arching branches; it typically grows 6–12 feet tall and wide, bears opposite simple leaves 4–10 cm long with toothed margins whose glossy green foliage turns yellow to red or reddish-purple in fall, and features late spring to early summer flat-topped white flower clusters followed by bluish-black drupes that attract birds. It thrives in USDA zones 3 through 8, tolerates full sun to partial shade, and prefers moist, well-drained loamy soil with a neutral to acidic pH, while adaptable to a range of soils; it is commonly used for hedges, borders, screens, mass plantings, or naturalizing and provides wildlife value as flowers attract pollinators and berries feed birds; propagation is possible from seed or cuttings, it transplants easily, and pruning after flowering helps maintain shape, with occasional viburnum leaf beetle presenting a management consideration.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-10 feet

Spread

6-10 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade; most commonly in partial shade, and can also be grown in full sun.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (about 5.0–6.5)

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.0-8.0, No single ideal pH; tolerates acidic to neutral soils

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring (May–June), Summer (July–frost)

Foliage Color

Green, with fall foliage yellow to red or reddish-purple.

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow, Orange, Red, Burgundy, Purple, Reddish-purple

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Medium growth rate (about 12–24 inches per year)

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Vegetative propagation via short rhizomes and sprouts from the root crown

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds