Arrowwood Viburnum: A rounded deciduous shrub

A highlight among them is arrowwood, Viburnum dentatum, which is indigenous to Virginia's Coastal Plain, encompassing the whole Northern Neck. It may be found there in damp floodplain forests, wet flatwoods, seepage swamps, and even tidal and alluvial swamps. It prefers damp soils, but it can also be found in dry upland woodlands. This Viburnum is a show-stopper as early fall approaches and brightens its surrounds with big clusters of fruit that are 1/3" in diameter and ripen to a deep blue to blue-black color. These fruit are especially striking against the vibrant fall foliage, which runs from yellow to fiery red.

The rounded deciduous Arrowwood viburnum shrub , which matures between 6 and 10 feet tall and wide, is perfect for hedging. The viburnum arrowwood bushes can grow as tall as 15 feet when given the right conditions, so they could possibly be pruned into an efficient privacy screen as well.

It is covered in eye-catching 3 to 4" diameter flat-topped clusters of lacy white flowers in the late spring. Five petals and a cluster of yellow stamens can be found on each little flower. Sadly, the blossoms lack any scent.

A quick guide to Arrowwood Viburnum 

1. The viburnum dentatum hedge is indigenous to the USA

2. Resistance to deer

3. White flowers in spring attract pollinators like honeybees and butterflies.

Our natural viburnums support a diverse range of species. Numerous native bees, such as Mason and Bumblebees, as well as other pollinators are drawn to the nectar-rich flowers. Many butterflies and moths, including the arrow-wood, have co-evolved with our native viburnums and are consequently reliant on them. The host plants for several of our caterpillars, including Spring and Summer Azures, the interesting Azalea Sphinx, and Clearwing Hummingbird Moths, are native viburnums, as opposed to non-native viburnums like the Korean Spice viburnum. Nearly all of our songbirds' young prefer the juicy, protein- and fat-rich caterpillars of these moths and butterflies, which in turn draw them to the garden.

Many resident and migratory songbirds, such as Eastern Bluebirds, Northern Flickers, Robins, and Cardinals, as well as gamebirds like grouse and wild turkeys, as well as small mammals, depend on the vast clusters of fall fruit for their sustenance. Fruits frequently persist into the winter, providing essential nutrition to migrating birds and beautifying the garden.