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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Amelanchier arborea Form in the spring, flowers appear before the leaves.
Viburnum nudum Form
Viburnum prunifolium Viburnum prunifolium
Viburnum acerifolium has some other problems:
Purple Mite

Maple Leaf Viburnum Viburnum acerifolium

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
vih-BUR-num a-ser-ih-FOH-lee-um
Description

Mapleleaf viburnum is a native deciduous suckering shrub found in eastern and central USA and the Piedmont and mountains of NC. This shrub is more shade tolerant than most viburnums and is found as an understory plant in moist to dry woodland settings. The attractive clusters of white flowers occur late spring to summer and are followed by clusters of berry-like drupes that are eaten by birds. In fall the foliage turns shades of red, pink, or purple for added interest. The species name refers to the leaves being similar in shape to maples.

Mapleleaf viburnum prefers partial shade in moist acidic well-drained soils. It is drought tolerant once established. Use this shrub in borders, hedges, as a foundation plant or it will naturalize in woodland settings.

More than one genetic strain is needed for good fruit set.  This means the plant needs to be cross-pollinated with another viburnum plant that is not an exact clone if you would like to enjoy the beautiful fall berries.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a Factsheet on common pests and diseases.

 

 

  

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#native shrub#fall interest#showy fruits#fire low flammability#NC native#deer resistant#pollinator plant#larval host plant#food source summer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piednmont Mountains UPL#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#fall color orange#butterfly friendly#Coastal FACU#fall color purple#Audubon#hedge#wildlife friendly#collier preserve tn
 
Form
Form Lisa Kimmerling CC BY-NC 4.0
Close up of flower
Close up of flower Plant Image Library Licensing CC BY-SA 2.5
Flowers
Flowers Tom Potterfield CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Native habitat
Native habitat plaisant CC BY-NC 4.0
Leaves
Leaves Joshua Mayer CC-BY-SA 2.0
Underside of leaf
Underside of leaf Jeff Skrentny CC BY-NC 4.0
Fruit
Fruit Katja Schulz CC BY 2.0
Fall color
Fall color Tom Potterfield CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Stem
Stem jennifervb CC BY-NC 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#native shrub#fall interest#showy fruits#fire low flammability#NC native#deer resistant#pollinator plant#larval host plant#food source summer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piednmont Mountains UPL#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#fall color orange#butterfly friendly#Coastal FACU#fall color purple#Audubon#hedge#wildlife friendly#collier preserve tn
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Viburnum
    Species:
    acerifolium
    Family:
    Viburnaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern North America
    Distribution:
    AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV Canada: NB , ON , QC
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    It is a potential host plant for the Spring Azure butterfly.  Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, grouse, wild turkeys, and squirrels.  The twigs and leaves are browsed by white-tailed deer.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Fire in the landscape. Resistant to heat, drought, and soil compaction.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    1/4 inch long berries ripen to bluish-black from August to October. The fruits may persist into winter.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Tiny creamy-white flowers bloom from April to June on long-stalked, flat-topped panicles up to 3 inches across in mid to late spring. Individual blooms are 1/4 inch across with 5 strongly exerted stamens.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Orange
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are 2-5 inch-long dull to medium green maple-like leaves which are ovate to rounded and three-lobed. The lower surface is pale green with hairs.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Bark Description:
    The bark of the trunk and larger branches is gray and slightly rough.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The bark of younger stems is smooth and grayish brown.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Fire