Shining a light on the Arrowwood Viburnum

The Viburnum family of natural landscape shrubs is a great one that offers interest throughout the year. A highlight among them is arrow-wood, 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.

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 flowers lack any scent.

VIBURNUM ARROWWOOD QUICK GUIDE

1. Native to the United States is the viburnum dentatum hedge

2. Resilient to deer

3. Has white spring blossoms that entice pollinators like bees and butterflies.

This adaptable shrub normally grows between 6 and 10 feet tall, with numerous erect straight stems that arch outward to create a loosely rounded form. Its opposing leaves, which are all oval to rounded and coarsely serrated or "dentate," give birth to the viburnum's botanical name. By its popular name, Arrow-wood, you would infer that it was used by Native Americans to fashion arrow shafts from the young, straight stems. The arrowwood viburnum is frequently regarded as our most adaptable viburnum, thriving in practically any soil type, including sand and clay, sun or shade, dry to moist, and even damp soils. It tolerates salt and doesn't have any significant pests. It prefers acidic soils and values some afternoon shade.

In the back of mixed borders, arrow-wood can give spring and fall interest and is a good choice for massing, screening, or hedges. Viburnums are often not self-fruitful, therefore it is always advisable to plant more than one to ensure an abundance of the bright blue fruit, even though it is spectacular enough for a specimen purpose. Due to its salt tolerance, arrow-wood is ideal for coastal settings and grows well along streambanks, on lower slopes, or in rain gardens. It is advantageous as a plant that may be clipped to arch over and frame a walkway or garden entry because of its upright arching tendency.