Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum Viburnum rufidulum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- vih-BUR-num roo-FEE-duh-lum
- Description
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Rusty blackhaw is a deciduous multi-stemmed shrub or small single-stemmed treein the Viburnaceae (haw) family. It is native to eastern and central USA and is found in most areas of NC growing in rocky or dry woodlands and forests, along streams and valleys. The name comes from the rusty brown hairs on the undersides of leaves, buds and stems.
Rusty blackhaw grows in dry to moist loams in full sun to partial shade slowly reaching a height and width of 10 to 20 feet. Clusters of small, white flowers mature in early spring followed by a blue drupe that matures in fall. The leaves have excellent fall color. More than one shrub is needed for good fruit production. This low maintenance plant is resistant to browsing by deer and is drought tolerant once established.
Use this native plant as a hedge, in shrub borders and naturalized areas. This plant provides nectar to pollinators, fruit for birds, and small animals making it an excellent choice for a pollinator or wildlife garden. Its low flammability rating makes it a good choice to plant in the defensible space around a home.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease 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:
- Woodland Backyard Garden Walk
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Royal Guard'
- 'Royal Guard'
- 'Royal Guard'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Royal Guard'
- 'Royal Guard'
- 'Royal Guard'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Viburnum
- Species:
- rufidulum
- Family:
- Viburnaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern U.S.A., Mexico
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MO , MS , NC , OH , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- It is a host plant for the spring/summer Azure butterflies. Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, squirrels, and chipmunks. It is moderately deer resistant.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Edibility:
- Fruits are sweet but nearly all seed
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Oval
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- 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)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Blue
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 3/8 inch long oval dark blue fruits in clusters ripen in September to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Flowers appear from March to April in 5 inch wide rounded cymes of tiny flowers. Individual flowers are 1/4 inch across with long stamens.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Orange
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The 4" long oval, glossy, leathery leaves are dark green. The leaf undersides have rusty brown hairs as do the stems. Margins are finely serrated, tip rounded or with a broad point, base rounded. Excellent fall colors of reds, purples and oranges.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Bark Plate Shape:
- Square
- Bark Description:
- The bark is gray/brown with a fine blocky pattern.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Twigs reddish brown with a thin light gray coating. Stems have rusty brown hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Fire
