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Viburnum dentatum

Phonetic Spelling
vih-BUR-num den-TAY-tum
Description

Arrowwood is a native deciduous shrub that may grow 5 to 10 feet in height. It is native to much of the eastern USA and can be found in NC in the Piedmont and mountain areas. In spring, small, white flowers mature in flat-topped clusters up to 4 inches wide. The shrub produces a bluish-black drupe that matures in late summer and early fall. More than one genetic strain needed for fruit set.

Plant Arrowwood in moist well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It will tolerate a variety of soil and pH types. Use along a stream, pond or bog, or use as a specimen, foundation shrub or hedge. The flowers and fruits will attract butterflies, bees and songbirds.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.  

See this plant in the following landscapes:
West Side Foundation Planting in Cabarrus County Pollinator Garden in Full Sun
Cultivars / Varieties:
'CA Hildebrants', 'Chicago Luster', 'Moonglow', 'Ralph Senior', 'Rick Webb form', var. deamii ALL THAT GLITTERS® 'SMVDBL', var. deamii ALL THAT GLOWS® ' SMVDBL'
Tags:
#deciduous#shrub#native shrub#showy fruits#NC native#playground plant#larval host plant#food source summer#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#Audubon#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'CA Hildebrants', 'Chicago Luster', 'Moonglow', 'Ralph Senior', 'Rick Webb form', var. deamii ALL THAT GLITTERS® 'SMVDBL', var. deamii ALL THAT GLOWS® ' SMVDBL'
Tags:
#deciduous#shrub#native shrub#showy fruits#NC native#playground plant#larval host plant#food source summer#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#bird friendly#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#Audubon#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Viburnum
    Species:
    dentatum
    Family:
    Viburnaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    As the common name suggests, the straight stems of this species were reportedly used for arrow shafts by Native Americans.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    It is a potential host for the Spring Azure butterfly.  Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, grouse, wild turkeys and squirrels.  Its twigs and leaves are browsed by white-tailed deer.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Resistant to fire in the landscape. Heat, drought, and soil compaction tolerant.
    Edibility:
    Edible fruit
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a 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)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is 1/4 inch blue-black drupes that are attractive to birds and wildlife. Displays from July to September
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Blooms March-April with creamy-white flowers in flat-topped corymbs up to 4 inches across. Individual blooms are 1/4 inch across with 5 petals spreading to a bell-shape and extruded stamens with yellow anthers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are 2-4" long and 1½-3½" across. The upper side is yellow-green to dark green with sparse short hairs. The lower leaf surface is pale green with prominent veins and variably hairy. The margins are coarsely serrated. Fall color is variable from drab yellow to shades of orange and red.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Fissured
    Bark Description:
    The bark is gray to grayish-brown with fissures showing the underlying reddish-brown tissue. The surface has warty protrusions.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Bud Scales:
    Enclosed in more than 2 scales
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Twigs are angled with ridges, sometimes downy when young and then hairless, becoming gray with fissures with age. Buds are green to brown with several scales.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Edible Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Fire