Blackhaw Viburnum prunifolium
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- vih-BUR-num proo-nih-FOH-lee-um
- Description
-
Blackhaw is a large suckering native shrub or small tree that may grow 20 feet tall and nearly as wide. It provides 3 seasons of interest and is a high-value wildlife plant. The spring flowers are in large white cymes and the fall leaf color is in reds and purples. Berries mature to purplish-black and are eaten by both humans and birds. Viburnums set fruit better with more than one shrub for pollination.
Blackhaw prefers partial sun to partial shade and moist to dry well-drained soils. It will grow in deep shade but will rarely bloom. It is adaptable to soil types and pHs. This is a great shrub for naturalized areas or can be used as a hedge or specimen. Blackhaw is drought tolerant, does well in urban conditions and can be pruned to a tree form.
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 landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Early Red'
Spring leaves are reddish - 'Ovazam'
smaller
'Summer Magic'
- 'Early Red'
- 'Early Red', 'Ovazam', 'Summer Magic'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Early Red'
Spring leaves are reddish - 'Ovazam'
smaller
'Summer Magic'
- 'Early Red'
- 'Early Red', 'Ovazam', 'Summer Magic'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Viburnum
- Species:
- prunifolium
- Family:
- Viburnaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- This plant has been used for medicinal purposed by Native Americans.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WI , WV
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- It is a host plant for Spring/Summer Azure butterflies. Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, squirrels and chipmunks. Its twig form provides shelter to wildlife.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edible fruit
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Fire in the landscape. Resistant to heat and drought.
- Edibility:
- Fruits can be eaten raw or used in jams and preserves.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Irregular
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- 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)
- 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
- Blue
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 1/3 inch oval fruits are a mixture of green, yellow, and red-pink that transition to blue-black at maturity and are attractive to wildlife (especially birds). Display from September to October.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 4-5 inch clusters of small white fragrant flowers appear in the spring. Individual flowers at 5 petaled and 1/4 inch across with long yellowish stamens. Blooms from March to April.
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-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The ovate glossy leaves are 3-4 inches long and 1 inch across with fine serrations and a pointed tip. They turn red to purple in the fall.
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-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Black
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Bark Plate Shape:
- Square
- Bark Description:
- The bark is brown-gray and smooth in youth, but rough with flat-topped plates and gray-black with age
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Scaly
- Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
- Heart or shield shaped
- Stem Description:
- Twigs are smooth, gray, and relatively thin
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Drought
- Fire
- Pollution
