Plant care & info

Family: Adoxaceae

Genus: Viburnum (vi-BURR-num)

Common: Arrowwood, Wayfaring Tree

Temperate North & South America, Asia & Europe.

Over 150 species of shrubs and small trees. Flowers are sometimes fragrant, sometimes stinky or without scent. Pink or white flowers in clusters (umbrella shape, snowball shape, lacecap shape) bloom from mid-winter into June. Blue, red, white or yellow fruits occur in autumn, adding another season of interest & feeding birds at the same time. Leaves are evergreen or deciduous, opposite & occasionally in whorls of 3, lance-shaped, maple shaped, heart-shaped or round, with straight, undulating or serrated edges. Many deciduous viburnums have a pretty red, orange or purple fall color. It’s a huge group of plants with a lot of variety!

Size varies by species and cultivar. Smallest are 2-3’ at maturity. Many grow to 10-15’.

Varies by species — most prefer sun-part shade. Many adapt to differing soil types, but prefer clay soils to be amended to assist with drainage issues. Cold tolerance varies – less hardy types grow best if shielded from cold wind in winter.

Powdery mildew is the most common problem for Arrowwoods. Tips for avoiding it: Air circulation — don’t over crowd plants, allow for air circulation. Cleaning — remove the worst of the leaves & rake up fallen leaves in autumn. Mulch — adding mulch twice a year covers spores that may be lingering on the soil surface, increases air circulation in the soil as particles break down, and helps to keep soil moisture even.

Read tips on treatment products for powdery mildew on viburnum.

We have nothing against this plant – it’s used for good reasons (flexible water needs, evergreen, okay with reflected parking lot heat). But don’t make the mistake of judging all Viburnums by one over-used plant, because the Viburnum world is so much more!

Viburnums, commonly called Arrowwoods, are a large group of trouble free shrubs. Many, but not all, have fragrant flowers. Some have evergreen leaves, but the ones that don’t, develop beautiful bright orange, red or purple fall color before they drop. Most Arrowwoods have berries that feed birds and other wildlife during fall and winter.

Explore More Arrowwood

Dawn Viburnum

Viburnum Bodnantense: Dawn Viburnum

Pink scented flowers in clusters begin to open in January and continue sporadically through winter. New leaves are dark green tinged red, green in summer & orange-red in autumn before falling off. Red berries in autumn are good for birds.

Grows 8-10’ x 8-10’, sun-part shade, Z4.

Korean Spice

Viburnum V. Carlesii: Korean Spice

Clusters of pink flower buds open to white heavily scented flowers in March-April. Leaves are simple & fuzzy when new with orange-red fall color.

Grows 8’ x 7’, Viburnum carlesii ‘Compactum’ grows 4’ x 6’. Sun-pt shade, Z5.

David Viburnum

Viburnum Davidii: David Viburnum

Flat clusters of white flowers in April, shiny blue fruits in fall, quilted evergreen leaves are long and lance shape. Broad mounding bun shape.

Grows up to 3-5’ x 3-5’, sun or shade, Z7

Snowball Viburnum

Viburnum Opulus ‘Sterile’(’Roseum’): Snowball Viburnum

Globe-shape flower clusters are lime green to start & turn white as they mature. Blooms in May. Green 3-lobed leaves turn bright orange, yellow & red before falling in autumn. This version is sterile, so produces no berries.

Grows 10-12’, sun-part shade, Z4.

Doublefile Viburnum

Viburnum Plicatum Tomentosum: Doublefile Viburnum

White lacecap flowers line branches, hovering above the leaves for a tiered effect. Blooms in May. Leaves are simple & green, turning fire engine red in autumn before dropping. Small clusters of red fruits dot branches in summer.

Grows 8-10’ x 8-10’. Sun-part shade — if in a very hot sunny spot, protect the roots w/ mulch or ground cover, Z5.