Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is an easy to grow deciduous shrub that handles most landscape conditions, including soil types (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 8). It grows best in full sun and in a well-drained soil.

Clusters of tiny, creamy-white flat-topped flowers appear from late spring into summer. A bountiful crop of dark blue berries follows in the fall, a favorite of many birds and 4-legged wildlife. The lustrous dark green summer leaves turn a mix of yellow, red, and purple in the fall.

Depending on cultivar selected, arrowwood grows 5 to 15 feet high and wide. Arrowwood exhibits vigorous growth which demands annual pruning to keep its suckering habit in check. Most suckers are formed around the trunk base. Cutting off branches in late winter will reduce bloom numbers; pruning can be put off until mid to late June (after flowering). Remove any and all suckers anytime.

Like some baseball players, arrowwood is a “utility” shrub. It plays into a multiple landscape strategies: 6-8 foot deciduous hedge or screen, an important wildlife attractant, or a beautiful specimen plant. Arrrowwood is mostly disease resistant , although it is highly susceptible to viburnum beetle from late April into early May.

Top Cultivar Choices:
Blue Muffin™ is dwarf, densely branched, 4-5 feet tall and wide shrub; creamy-white blooms cover the branches followed by a heavy crop of dark blue fruits; excellent choice for a small garden.
‘Emerald Lustre’ is a Southeastern U.S. (particularly zones 7 and 8); flaunts dark green glossy foliage, lots of purple-black fruits, and yellow-bronze fall foliage color.
Northern Burgundy® is a late June blooming form which bears huge crops of blue-black fruits and deep burgundy fall color annually; grows 12 feet high and wide.
Autumn Jazz® is a Midwestern selection that grows 10 to 12 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide; upright, vase-shaped branching and fall leaf color a blend of yellow, red and purple.
Pathfinder™ is dwarf form (6 feet tall and 4 feet wide) with glossy dark green summer foliage. Flower and fruit traits similar to species.
Chicago Lustre® grows 8 to 10 feet tall and wide with lustrous dark green glossy summer foliage; reddish purple fall color and cold hardy (zone 5).