Viburnum dentatum
southern arrowwood
Overview
Viburnum dentatum, southern arrowwood, is a deciduous, upright, multi-stemmed shrub 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) tall and nearly as wide, with straight, slender stems that were once used for arrow shafts. The opposite leaves are oval, 1.5-4 inches (4-10 cm) long, glossy dark green, and edged with coarse, sharp teeth, turning shades of yellow, orange, red, and burgundy in fall. Flat-topped clusters of small creamy-white flowers 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) across open in late spring to early summer, carrying a light scent and drawing many bees and other insects. The flowers give way to clusters of blue-black, berry-like drupes in late summer and fall that birds strip quickly. The shrub spreads slowly by root suckers into broad colonies and tolerates a wide range of conditions, from sun to part shade and from moist to fairly dry soil. It is native to woodland edges, streambanks, and clearings across the eastern United States and adjacent Canada. Cross-pollination between different plants improves fruit set, so a single isolated shrub may fruit poorly, and the suckering habit calls for room or periodic removal of shoots.
Native Range
Viburnum dentatum is native to eastern North America, from New England and Ontario south to Florida and west to Texas. It grows along woodland edges, streambanks, swamps, and clearings on a range of moist to moderately dry soils.Suggested Uses
Viburnum dentatum is used in hedges, shrub borders, woodland edges, foundation plantings, and wildlife and rain gardens. Its flowers feed pollinators and its fruit feeds many birds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 10'
Width/Spread6' - 10'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer, often May and June, with flat creamy-white clusters lasting two to three weeks. Bees and other insects work the flowers heavily. Blue-black fruits ripen from August into fall and are usually taken by birds within weeks.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark green; yellow to red-burgundy in fallGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Viburnum dentatum in full sun to part shade in average, moist, well-drained soil with a pH of about 5.5 to 7.5, though it tolerates clay, sand, and short dry or wet spells. It needs little care once established and adapts to city conditions and varied soils. Planting two or more different plants nearby improves cross-pollination and fruit set. The shrub suckers into colonies, so allow room or remove suckers to keep it in bounds. Water during the first seasons and in long droughts to keep foliage and fruit in good condition.Pruning
Prune just after flowering, since flower buds form on the previous year wood. Thin older stems to the base to renew the shrub and remove suckers to limit spread. Heavy shearing spoils the natural arching form.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer