Possumhaw Viburnum Viburnum nudum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Viburnum cassinoides
- Viburnum cassinoides var. harbisonii
- Viburnum cassinoides var. nitidum
- Viburnum nitidum
- Viburnum nitidum Aiton
- Phonetic Spelling
- vih-BUR-num NEW-doom
- Description
-
Smooth Witherod is a native deciduous shrub growing in savannas, low, wet woods and bogs and may reach 12 feet tall and wide. It prefers sun to part shade in acidic, moist, well-drained soils but can be adaptable.
The opposite wavy-edged leaves are nicer leaves than some viburnums with good fall color. The blooms are showy and fragrant in flat-topped clusters and give way to showy berries of various colors. Berry production is best if more than one shrub is planted. The bark is smooth and gray-brown with a few raised warty lenticels.
Plant in acidic moist to occasionally wet sites in full sun to partial shade along ponds, streams and bogs and in water or rain gardens
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:
-
- 'Angustifolium'
- 'Brandy wine'
- 'Winterthur'
- 'Angustifolium'
- 'Angustifolium', 'Brandy wine', 'Winterthur'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Angustifolium'
- 'Brandy wine'
- 'Winterthur'
- 'Angustifolium'
- 'Angustifolium', 'Brandy wine', 'Winterthur'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Viburnum
- Species:
- nudum
- Family:
- Viburnaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- 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
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- It is a potential host plant for the Spring Azure butterfly and hummingbird clearwing moths. Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, grouse, wild turkeys and squirrel. Its twigs and leaves are browsed by white-tailed deer.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- fire in the landscape. Heat, drought, and soil compaction tolerant.
- Edibility:
- Ripe drupes can be used in jams.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Spreading
- 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
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Green
- Pink
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Description:
- Light pink to deep pink to blue to purplish-black fruits appear in fall. The clusters will have all colors appearing at the same time. They are acidic but edible. Display from August to October.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flat-topped clusters of creamy white blooms appear in April-May.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 4 inch long glossy dark green leaves. Fall color is sometimes reddish-purple.
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-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- Smooth grey-brown bark with a few warty lenticels.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Scales:
- Enclosed in 2 scales
- Stem Description:
- Slender, reddish-brown, shiny stems. Buds are valvate, slender and up to 1/2 inch long, scruffy pinkish brown
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Fire
- Wet Soil
