Southern Arrowwood Viburnum dentatum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- vih-BUR-num den-TAY-tum
- Description
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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 is 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. Arrowwood will tolerate pruning, but keep in mind that next season's blossoms will appear on old growth.
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:
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- 'CA Hildebrants'
Compact shrub to 4 ft. Good fall color - 'Chicago Luster'
10 ft tall, good fflowering with deep purple berries and good fall color - 'Moonglow'
5-8 feet tall, rounded habit, gloosy leaves, domed white flowers - 'Ralph Senior'
Vase-shaped shrub with creamy flowers similar to Queen Anne's lace - 'Rick Webb form'
Smaller size with glossy leaves var. deamii ALL THAT GLOWS® ' SMVDBL'
Smaller shrub, glossy leaves - 'CA Hildebrants'
- 'CA Hildebrants', 'Chicago Luster', 'Moonglow', 'Ralph Senior', 'Rick Webb form', var. deamii ALL THAT GLITTERS® 'SMVDBL', var. deamii ALL THAT GLOWS® ' SMVDBL'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'CA Hildebrants'
Compact shrub to 4 ft. Good fall color - 'Chicago Luster'
10 ft tall, good fflowering with deep purple berries and good fall color - 'Moonglow'
5-8 feet tall, rounded habit, gloosy leaves, domed white flowers - 'Ralph Senior'
Vase-shaped shrub with creamy flowers similar to Queen Anne's lace - 'Rick Webb form'
Smaller size with glossy leaves var. deamii ALL THAT GLOWS® ' SMVDBL'
Smaller shrub, glossy leaves - 'CA Hildebrants'
- 'CA Hildebrants', 'Chicago Luster', 'Moonglow', 'Ralph Senior', 'Rick Webb form', var. deamii ALL THAT GLITTERS® 'SMVDBL', var. deamii ALL THAT GLOWS® ' SMVDBL'
- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Recreational Play Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Fire
