Arrowwood Viburnum

Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)

Arrowwood Viburnum is a tough, native deciduous shrub that builds a dense, rounded screen with very little drama. It brings spring flowers, late-season berries, and strong fall color, so it contributes something meaningful beyond basic greenery. The branching fills in well, making it useful for privacy and for giving the landscape a more finished backdrop. Once established, it is dependable in a wide range of garden conditions and supports wildlife in a way many shrubs cannot.

Distinctive Features

This viburnum forms an upright to rounded, multi-stemmed shrub with glossy green, toothed leaves and a naturally full habit. Flat-topped clusters of small white flowers bloom in late spring to early summer, followed by berry-like fruit that turns blue to blue-black in late summer to fall. Foliage often develops yellow to red or red-purple tones in fall, adding a strong seasonal finish. The combination of dense structure, fruit display, and native resilience makes it a standout for both designed and naturalistic plantings.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun to part shade, with best flowering and fruiting in full sun.
• Soil: Well-drained soil is ideal, and it adapts well to loam or clay when drainage is reasonable.
• Water: Moderate water to establish, then average moisture, with deep watering during extended dry periods.
• USDA Zones: Zones 2 to 8.
• Mature Size: About 6 to 10 feet tall and about 6 to 10 feet wide.
• Habit: Upright to rounded, multi-stemmed, and dense.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Use as a large anchor shrub where spring bloom, berries, and fall color can carry the season in one bold mass.
• Screening: Plant in rows or staggered groupings to create privacy and a softer property-line boundary.
• Hedges: Use as an informal hedge that looks natural while still feeling intentional.
• Wildlife Plantings: Include in mixed borders to support birds with fruit and provide cover through the growing season.
• Back-of-Border Structure: Place behind perennials and smaller shrubs to add depth and a dark green summer backdrop.
• Rain Garden Edges: Use where soils stay moderately moist but not permanently wet for steady growth and better fruiting.

Low Maintenance Care

• Pruning: Prune right after flowering if shaping is needed, since next season's buds form on older wood.
• Watering: Water regularly the first growing season, then supplement during drought to keep growth and fruiting consistent.
• Mulching: Mulch to conserve moisture and protect roots while keeping mulch pulled back from the stems.
• Feeding: Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak, since average soils are usually sufficient.
• Pest Monitoring: Watch for viburnum leaf beetle in affected regions and respond early if chewing damage appears.

Why Choose Arrowwood Viburnum?

• Native Strength: Built for long-term performance with broad adaptability and strong landscape resilience.
• Privacy Value: Dense branching and substantial size create effective screening without a stiff, formal look.
• Seasonal Interest: White spring flowers, blue to blue-black berries, and colorful fall foliage keep it relevant beyond summer.
• Wildlife Support: Flowers feed pollinators and fruit supports birds later in the season.
• Deer Tolerance: Foliage is often less appealing to deer than many flowering shrubs, especially once established.

If you want a shrub that can do real work while still looking refined, Arrowwood Viburnum is a smart pick. Give it sun, decent drainage, and enough space to mature, and it will settle in as a long-term backbone plant. Used as a screen, hedge, or big backdrop, it helps the landscape feel finished and intentional across seasons.