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Writer's pictureKimberly Simmen

Native Plant of the Week: Arrowwood

Family: Adoxaceae


Name: Viburnum dentatum - Arrowwood


Bloom Time: May - July


Flower: White


Soil Condition: Average, Moist, Dry, Acidic


Light: Sun to Partial Shade, Shade


Height: 6-10' tall by 6-10' wide


Native Range: Eastern North America including Long Island


Zone: 2 to 8

Of all the Viburnums, Viburnum dentatum is the most adaptable. Arrowwood can tolerate many site conditions from dry (once fully established) to periodic flooding, full sun to full shade, sandy soil to clay soil. The flat-topped, white flowers are a favorite for native pollinators from beetles to butterflies. An absolute must for the bird garden as songbirds go crazy for the dark blue berries in summer. Fall foliage is a lovely burgundy purple and gold. Arrowwood suckers freely from the base which makes it a good choice for a hedge or screen. Makes a great backdrop for native perennial gardens.


Fun Facts: The straight stems were used as arrow shafts by Native Americans, hence the common name.

Maintenance: low maintenance shrub, remove suckers to control width


Benefits: host plant to Spring and Summer Azure butterflies and several moth species, pollinators visit the flowers, songbirds eat the fruit and nest in mature plants, juglone tolerant (Black Walnut), clay tolerant, fire tolerant


Companion Plants: Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' - Red Switch Grass, Monarda fistulosa - Wild Bergamot, Hypericum prolificum - Shrubby St. John's Wort, Hamamelis virginica - Common Witch Hazel, Aster spectabilis - Showy Aster


pictures: KMS Native Plants

illustration: Missouri Department of Conservation

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