By Jade Greene
To lead up to our April 2 event with Dr. Doug Tallamy, we will highlight a native plant mentioned in one of his books. No matter how small or large your garden space may be, you can make a difference by planting native plants! This month, we are focusing on the beautiful shrub: Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)!
About Arrowwood viburnum:
Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is a medium sized shrub (height from 6-10ft) that can thrive in a variety of soil and sun conditions, plus they are deer resistant! The plant boasts beautiful white flowers in the spring, cute little blue berries in the fall and colorful fall foliage. The name “arrowwood” is believed to come from Native Americans using the straight, strong stems for their arrows. A “top 10 wildlife shrub” according to Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, they attract and support a variety of wildlife!
Arrowwood through the seasons:
What organisms do Arrowwood viburnum support:
The flowers are full of nutritious nectar which attracts many different pollinators such as native bees, monarch and swallowtail butterflies. They are the host plant for Spring Azure butterflies (pictured), Arrowwood sallow moths, and others. Viburnums are in the top 20 genera for hosting butterfly and moth species.
The berries ripen right as many birds are undergoing their strenuous fall migrations, providing much needed balanced nutrition for their journeys. The berries are over 40% fat. They are enjoyed by many different songbirds! Birds also like to nest in Arrowwood’s branches.
Should I plant Arrowwood viburnum in my yard?
Absolutely! They are happy in a variety of sun conditions (partial to full sun) and soil conditions (loamy, neutral to acid soil with ample moisture but can adapt to dry to fairly soil). They can self pollinate so you do not need to plant more for the plant to produce berries.
They can be incorporated into any landscaping and garden areas that have enough space for a shrub. Some homeowners use them to create privacy fences!
I personally bought my own Arrowwood viburnum from Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in May 2024. I live in a condo with an HOA and am slowly incorporating native plants into my garden beds. I know my Arrowwood viburnum will fit in with the traditional look of my neighborhood but also be an enticing food source for native critters that need a source of nutritious nectar and berries. With minimal watering, it survived the drought and put on a beautiful fall foliage show. I can’t wait to watch the plant grow over the years and all the new wildlife visitors who come to my garden!
This lovely plant is very easy to care for and will provide beauty and habitat for so many critters. You can find Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) at a local native plant nursery. Read more about Nature’s Best Hope event on April 2 here!
Sources:
- https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_vide.pdf
- https://www.thespruce.com/arrowwood-viburnum-shrubs-growing-tips-2132732
- Tallamy, Douglas W., Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard. Portland, Oregon, Timber Press, 2019.
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