Arrowwood viburnum Viburnum dentatum
Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Viburnaceae family, native to Eastern North America. It grows 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -38 °C (-36 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
Plan Arrowwood viburnum in your garden →
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Arrowwood viburnum at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Viburnaceae |
| Mature height | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -38 °C (-36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern North America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Arrowwood viburnum toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: raw berries
The berries are not considered edible for people (bitter, mildly upsetting); birds eat them.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Arrowwood viburnum
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Arrowwood viburnum
- How far apart should I plant Arrowwood viburnum?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Arrowwood viburnum need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Arrowwood viburnum need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Arrowwood viburnum?
- It tolerates about -38 °C (-36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Arrowwood viburnum flower?
- From about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Arrowwood viburnum poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. The berries are not considered edible for people (bitter, mildly upsetting); birds eat them.
- What grows well with Arrowwood viburnum?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Arrowwood viburnum. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Illinois Wildflowers (descriptions and insect-visitor records), John Hilty, illinoiswildflowers.info
Notes and assumptions
- A tough, multi-stemmed shrub with coarsely toothed leaves, flat clusters of white flowers in late spring and blue-black berries that birds strip in autumn; the straight young shoots were used for arrow shafts. Good for hedgerows and wildlife screens.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Korean spice viburnum Viburnum carlesii
- American highbush cranberry Viburnum trilobum
- Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum) Viburnum plicatum
- Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum) Viburnum farreri
- Laurustinus Viburnum tinus
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens