How to Grow Arrowwood Viburnum - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team / 2024

Arrowwood viburnum is a plant that is native to North America. It is a deciduous shrub that can grow to be 15 feet tall. The leaves are ovate shaped and the flowers are white. The fruit is a black berry.

How to Grow Arrowwood Viburnum - Plant Care & Tips

Also called

Arrowwood viburnum
viburnum
fragrant snowball
European cranberrybush
guelder rose

Basic info

Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is a native North American shrub that ranges from Ontario and Quebec to Minnesota and Nebraska in the north, and south to Texas and Florida.
Arrowwood viburnum is a large deciduous shrub that typically grows 10-15 feet tall and 6-12 feet wide.
The arrowwood viburnum has opposite, simple leaves that are 2-6 inches long and 1-3 inches wide. The leaves are dark green above and paler beneath, with sharply toothed margins.
The arrowwood viburnum blooms in May or June, bearing clusters of small, white flowers.
The arrowwood viburnum is drought-tolerant and does well in a variety of soil types, including those that are sandy, clay, or rocky.
The arrowwood viburnum is a food source for many types of wildlife, including songbirds, game birds, and small mammals.
The arrowwood viburnum is also an important nesting site for birds.
Arrowwood viburnum berries are also attractive to a number of species of birds, including robins, cedar waxwings, and bluebirds.
The arrowwood viburnum is relatively free of pests and diseases.
Arrowwood viburnum is a common landscaping shrub and is also used in hedges and as a specimen plant.

Planting Process

For arrowwood viburnum, first step is to choose a planting site that has full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
Next, dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the plants root ball.
After that, place the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
Once the plant is in the hole, backfill with soil and lightly tamp down.
Next, water the plant deeply to help settle the roots.
For the first year, water arrowwood viburnum plants weekly, except during periods of extended drought.
Fertilize arrowwood viburnum in early spring before new growth begins.
Prune arrowwood viburnum in late winter or early spring to shape the plant or remove any damaged or diseased branches.
To propagate arrowwood viburnum, take stem cuttings in late spring or early summer.
Finally, arrowwood viburnum plants are relatively pest and disease resistant. However, they can be susceptible to aphids, scale, and whiteflies.

Soil Condition

About soil condition, Arrowwood viburnum prefers acidic to neutral soils, although it is tolerant of slightly alkaline soils. It prefers moist to mesic conditions, but is tolerant of dry soils once established. It will not tolerate wet soils.

Light condition

Like the other plants, the arrowwood viburnum needs a certain amount of sun to survive. This shrub can tolerate a range of sun exposures, from full sun to partial shade. However, it will produce the most flowers and fruit when it receives at least six hours of sun per day.

The Temperature

The temperature condition of the arrowwood viburnum is that it prefers full sun to partial shade, and it is tolerant of different soil conditions as long as the soil is well-drained. It is also tolerant of different pH levels in soils. The optimum temperature range for the arrowwood viburnum is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40% to 60%. If the humidity drops below 40%, the leaves may start to turn brown and curl. If the humidity rises above 60%, the leaves may start to drop off.

Fertilizer Requirement

The fertilizer, this kind of plant food, is very important to the plant. The plant needs the nutrients in the fertilizer to help it grow. Root, on the other hand, is the part of the plant that helps anchor it in the ground. The root also absorbs water and nutrients from the soil.

About light

Pruning arrowwood viburnum is best done in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. Cut back last year's growth to about 6 inches from the ground to encourage new, dense growth. You can also thin out the plant by removing some of the older stems at ground level.

The Propagation

Propagation of arrowwood viburnum is typically done through softwood cuttings taken from new growth in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be 4-6 inches long and taken from the tips of the stems. They should be placed in a well-draining planting mix and kept moist until roots have developed and new growth appears.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the age of the plant. For example, young plants growing in their first year may put on several inches of new growth. Mature plants, on the other hand, may only add an inch or two of new growth each year. Soil conditions, amount of sunlight, and other factors can also affect plant growth rate.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, leaf spot, and stem canker. Powdery mildew is a white or gray powdery growth on the surface of the leaves. Leaf spot is small, brown or black spots on the leaves. Stem canker is a canker that girdles the stem of the plant.

Tips on Growing

Make sure to choose a planting site that has well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
Prepare the planting hole by digging it twice as wide and deep as the root ball of the plant.
Mix some organic matter into the backfill soil to help with drainage and nutrients.
Gently remove the arrowwood viburnum from its nursery container and place it in the planting hole.
Backfill the hole with the soil mixture, tamping it down as you go.
Water the plant deeply immediately after planting.
Spread a 2-inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant, but keep it away from the stem.
Fertilize the plant in spring with a balanced fertilizer.
Prune the plant in late winter to early spring to shape it as desired.
Monitor the plant for any pests or diseases and take appropriate