Viburnum dentatum
Growing zones
See Zone Map >
3-7
Viburnum dentatum
Status: Out of stock
Product ID#: vdent
Product Description
Fall Color
Burgundy/Purple, Red, Yellow
Flower Color
White
Fruit Color
Black, Blue
Mature Plant Size (H x W)
8-10' x 8-10'
Arrowwood Viburnum is an Eastern U.S. native plant that is multi-stemmed and rounded with dark green, glossy foliage. It has white flowers borne in June, followed by clusters of blue-black berries and reddish-purple foliage in fall. Birds, bees, and butterflies are attracted to the Arrowwood Viburnum shrub – birds love feasting on the berries! This flowering shrub can tolerate moist soils and is easy to grow. Use the Arrowwood Viburnum in natural areas, to attract wildlife, or for its fall color!
Reinvigorate Your Garden with Plants from McKay Nursery
Use this Arrowwood viburnum shrub to attract wildlife, or update your greenery with its stellar set of colors! Here at McKay Nursery, we offer an expertly curated collection of plants, including the eye-catching Arrowwood viburnum. Plants ordered from us are cared for by our expert staff and come with detailed planting and handling instructions.
For more information, contact us at [email protected] or call us at 920-478-2121.
Reinvigorate Your Garden with Plants from McKay Nursery
Use this Arrowwood viburnum shrub to attract wildlife, or update your greenery with its stellar set of colors! Here at McKay Nursery, we offer an expertly curated collection of plants, including the eye-catching Arrowwood viburnum. Plants ordered from us are cared for by our expert staff and come with detailed planting and handling instructions.
For more information, contact us at [email protected] or call us at 920-478-2121.
Mature Plant Size (H x W):
8-10' x 8-10'
Key features
- Attracts Bees
- Attracts Birds
- Deer Resistant
- Native
- Stone Mulch
- Walnut Toxicity Resistant
- Attracts Butterflies
- Cut Flower
Planting Care
Planting & Care for Deciduous Shrub – Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)
Preparation
- Plant in March, May to November.
- Arrowwood viburnum shrubs need at least half a day’s full sunshine to prosper.
- Shield large-flowering varieties from cold wind.
- This native plant prefers well-drained soil enriched with well-rotted organic matter several weeks before planting.
- In light soils that dry out quickly, mulch in spring with moisture-conserving, bulky organics to keep roots cool and active.
Opening Plant Material
- Bare Root: Cut open the bundle (top and roots are tied) and separate all the plants. Soak roots in buckets of water until planted. Each plant type will be labeled separately for identification. Keep the roots from full sun since they should never dry out. Keep roots covered. All bare-root plants must be trimmed when planted.
- Grow Bags: Remove the bag by using a utility knife to slit up the side and peel off the fabric exposing the soil and roots. Plant the root ball just like you would a container plant. No trimming of roots is necessary for grow bags.
- B&B: Soak root ball well. Dig a hole at least 6" wider and no deeper than the size of the ball on the plant. Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move trees by the tops.
- Containers: Completely saturate all container plants by putting them in a larger water container until bubbling stops. Remove the plant, then dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container, ensuring it’s wider on the sides by an additional 6” or more.
Planting Bare Root
- You can plant this bare root in fall or spring. A good indicator of whether you can still plant is if the ground is still workable. If a hard frost is expected, hold off on planting.
- Dig a hole at least 6" wider and the same depth as the root mass. The crown or graft of the plant should be slightly higher than ground level where it was grown at the nursery.
- Trim off the broken roots and branches.
- Place fertilizer packets in the hole (if purchased). Do not place other fertilizers in the planting hole. *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Spread the roots and fill halfway with soil, then water until the soil settles completely, saturating the soil and planting pit.
- Re-adjust the plant and fill the hole with the rest of the soil.
- Backfill the balance of the soil and water well.
Planting B&B Trees
- Plant B&B trees in spring or fall. A good indicator of whether you can still plant is if the ground is still workable. If a hard frost is expected, hold off on planting.
- Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. Add soil under the ball so the root flare is exposed if necessary.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Backfill ½ of the hole with soil and completely saturate the soil with water.
- Once the tree is straight in the proper location, cut and remove twine. Then, remove or bend back the top of the metal basket. Lastly, remove the exposed burlap from the top of the ball.
- Fill the hole to the top of the ball with soil, then soak well with water and let settle.
- The top of the root ball should be visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
- Add mulch on top of the soil, making sure not to put mulch against the trunk or stems.
Planting Containers
- Plant in March or May to November.
- Dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container and 6" or wider on the sides.
- Slide the plant from the pot by tapping on the bottom of the pot.
- With a shovel or knife, trim the bottom 2" off the root ball for plants in plastic containers.
- Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move plants by the tops.
Place the root ball in the hole. - Adjust the plant height so the root crown is slightly higher than the ground.
- Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. Add soil under the ball so the root flare is exposed if necessary.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Backfill the hole with soil, ensuring the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
- Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.
- Check out our Planting & Handling Guide for more planting information and illustrations.
Planting Grow Bags
- Plant grow bags in spring or fall.
- Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. Add soil under the ball so the root flare is exposed if necessary.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Backfill the hole with soil, ensuring the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
- Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.
Pruning - After Planting
- Bare Root: Prune ALL bare root plants to reduce transplant shock and ensure successful planting. Pruning should occur as soon as possible, before or after planting, and with sharp pruning shears.
- B&B, Grow Bags, and Containers: Although it’s not essential after planting, light pruning can help shape an Arrowwood viburnum shrub. Doing so removes any broken branches from shipping or thins out a heavily branched plant to assist in the transplanting process and the appearance of your new planting.
Pruning - Throughout the Season
- Prune in April and July.
- Trim shoots lightly in early spring.
Watering - After Planting
- Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
- Beyond the six-week establishment period, water once per week unless rain occurs.
- Remember to check soil moisture by sticking your finger into the soil around 3”.
Watering - Throughout the Season
- After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
- How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it’s dry, give it a good soak with the hose end (no nozzle), watering the soil only, not the leaves.
- Same as after planting, stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best growing zone for Arrowwood viburnum shrubs?
These shrubs prefer temperate conditions found in USDA growing zones 3 to 7.
Although these plants have decent heat and cold tolerance, Arrowwood viburnum shrubs should be watered well in very hot weather. Doing so minimizes the risk of plant stress.
If temperatures become too cold out of season, it may be necessary to provide protection to prevent damage to foliage.
What are the common pests of Arrowhead viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)?
Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) shrubs rarely encounter severe issues with most pests or diseases. However, they might be affected by the viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni).
Viburnum leaf beetles have become a major problem for viburnum shrubs in Europe and North America. The adult beetles and their larvae feed on the leaves of the bushes, which can defoliate your shrubs and lead to death if their infestation is not controlled.
If you notice dark spots under shrub stems, it’s best to prune off those stems and dispose of them before the eggs hatch as spring comes. Make sure to use organic pesticides only for serious infestations since these chemicals can also kill beneficial insects.
If you notice dark spots under shrub stems, it’s best to prune off those stems and dispose of them before the eggs hatch as spring comes. Make sure to use organic pesticides only for serious infestations since these chemicals can also kill beneficial insects.
Does Arrowhead viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) need overwintering?
These shrubs do not need winter protection.
Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is a winter-hardy shrub, meaning it can tolerate temperatures as low as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit in USDA hardiness zone 2.
How can I encourage more blooms with my Arrowhead viburnum shrub?
If your shrub does not bloom enough white flowers, the cause could be a lack of sunlight, limited soil nutrients, or improper pruning.
While the sunlight issue is easy to fix through repositioning, feeding your plant and proper pruning will need more specific solutions.
To provide more nutrients to your Arrowhead viburnum, add a fertilizer high in phosphorus in the early spring. For better pruning practices, try to prune more attentively and on time so you don’t accidentally remove the buds from old wood.
To provide more nutrients to your Arrowhead viburnum, add a fertilizer high in phosphorus in the early spring. For better pruning practices, try to prune more attentively and on time so you don’t accidentally remove the buds from old wood.
What is the lifespan of Arrowwood viburnum shrubs?
Viburnum plants generally live as long as 50 years but can last up to 150 years, depending on their species.
When grown properly and with proper care in their native growing zones, your viburnum should have a lengthy lifespan.
Planting & Handling Help
Download our Planting and Handling Guide below to plan for a successful arrival and install of your plants. Be sure to water all plants as soon as they arrive and every day until you’re ready to plant. Keep any bare root bundles in a shady, cool spot with the roots covered at all times.
Learn More
Watch our videos on handling bare root plants, how your order is prepared for shipment and more.
Plant Sizing
What is the difference between Containers, Grow Bags, Bare Root, and Balled & Burlap (B&B)?
Shipping Times
Our FedEx and local shipping times depend on two factors, one is by the region and the second is the type of product being shipped. For example, small fruits are only shipped in spring, but majority of our perennials are shipped from spring until fall. Keep in mind the dates below act as a general guide. Due to unpredictable weather, staffing, inventory and industry demands these timelines can change. Therefore, we cannot guarantee any of these times.
Shipping Dates by Region*
Northern Cold Region: April 22nd - November 7th
Northern Region: April 15th - November 7th
Middle Region: April 1st - November 7th
Southern Region: March 15th - November 7th
Local Delivery (small radius from Waterloo, WI): April 22nd - November 7th
Shipping Dates by Season*
Spring Shipping: Region Start Date (above) - May
Fall Shipping: September - November
Due to unpredictable weather, these times may vary. Some varieties are exceptions due to heat and plant health reasons. Enter your shipping zip code at the top of this page and be sure to check the shipping information on each product before you add it to your cart. If the product is too large or restricted in your state, you will not be able to checkout with that item in your cart.