Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: arrowwood viburnum
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Adoxaceae
Native Range: Eastern North America
Zone: 2 to 8
Height: 6.00 to 10.00 feet
Spread: 6.00 to 10.00 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Hedge
Flower: Showy
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies
Fruit: Showy
Tolerate: Clay Soil, Black Walnut
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist loams, but tolerates a wide range of soils. Established plants have some drought tolerance. Prune as needed immediately after flowering.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Viburnum dentatum, commonly called arrowwood viburnum, is an upright, rounded, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub which typically matures to 6-10' tall with a similar spread, but may reach a height of 15' in optimum growing conditions. Non-fragrant white flowers in flat-topped corymbs (to 4" diameter) appear in late spring. Flowers give way to blue-black, berry-like drupes which are quite attractive to birds and wildlife. Ovate, toothed, glossy dark green leaves (to 4" long). Variable fall color ranges from drab yellow to attractive shades of orange and red. Although widespread in eastern North America, this native plant is only known to exist in the wild in Missouri on wooded slopes along the Salt River in Shelby County.
Genus name comes from the Latin name of a species plant.
Specific epithet means toothed for the toothed leaves.
Native Americans reportedly used the straight stems of this species for arrow shafts, hence the common name.
Problems
Watch for whiteflies. Otherwise no serious insect or disease problems.
Uses
Not highly ornamental, but exceedingly winter hardy, vigorous and reliable. Shrub borders. Tall hedge or screen. Background for native plantings.