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Blackhawk Viburnum Viburnum prunifolium 'Summer Magic'

Description

'Summer Magic' is a cultivar of the black haw, a deciduous shrub in the Viburnaceae (viburnum) family. It was introduced by Willoway Nursery of Ohio.  

This self-fertile cultivar has a more compact, rounded form than others varieties.  Its beautiful fall colors include red and yellow.  In comparison to other varieties, it has a sparse fruit production, however the fruits are edible, both raw or cooked.

Pruning should be accomplished after flowering.

It can be grown as a large, multi-stemmed shrub or a small tree.  Differing from other varieties of viburnum, 'Summer Magic' does not have the same horizontal fish-bone branching, therefore produces a more compact form.  

Its new leaves are red, then become pink, before maturing to a purplish-green.

For a more brilliant fall display, locate this plant in full sun.  

It has some resistance to mildew.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues, scale and borers are occasional 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#small tree#drought tolerant#deciduous shrub#flowering tree#edible fruits#naturalizes#screening#naturalized area#poor soils tolerant#deciduous tree#compact habit#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#self-fertile#compact#wet soils intolerant#edible#fall color#butterfly garden#hedge#screen
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#drought tolerant#deciduous shrub#flowering tree#edible fruits#naturalizes#screening#naturalized area#poor soils tolerant#deciduous tree#compact habit#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#self-fertile#compact#wet soils intolerant#edible#fall color#butterfly garden#hedge#screen
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Viburnum
    Species:
    prunifolium
    Family:
    Viburnaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Often used as screening or a hedge
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Layering
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northeastern US
    Wildlife Value:
    The fruits are eaten by birds, the flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Edible fruit
    Screening
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    The fruits can be eaten both raw or cooked.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    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
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    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:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Sparse red fruits will mature to black. They can be eaten both raw or cooked.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Showy, tiny white flowers open in the spring into summer in the form of a cyme.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The foliage will provide interest to your garden in the spring when they first open red, turn pink, and mature to green, while the fall colors of yellow and burgundy finish the year with a stunning display.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Multi-stemmed
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Edible Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Poor Soil