Viburnum rufidulum (Southern Blackhaw)

With a year-round attractive appearance, Viburnum rufidulum (Southern Blackhaw) is a large, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub or small tree noted for its eye-catching flower clusters, colorful berries, and attractive fall color. In spring, a profusion of rounded or flat-topped clusters, 5 in. wide (12 cm), packed with up to 150 creamy-white flowers, are elegantly held above the foliage. Nectar-rich, they are loved by butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. The blossoms are followed by clusters of edible, dark blue berries that ripen in the fall. They often persist into winter and are quite attractive to birds and wildlife. The handsome foliage of oval to obovate, finely serrate, glossy dark green leaves turns various shades of pink, red, and purple in fall. The leaf undersides, buds, and young stems are covered with rusty brown hairs, hence the common name of Rusty Blackhaw. Native to the eastern and central United States, Southern Blackhaw occurs naturally in rocky or dry woods, valleys, rocky glades, thickets, and along streams. It may produce suckers that result in tight groves. A very rewarding shrub that is good-looking, durable, and pest-free. Rusty Blackhaw is good for understory plantings or rocky areas in full sun to partial sun.

• Slowly grows up to 10-20 ft. tall and wide (3-6 m).
• Performs best in full sun in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Appreciates some afternoon shade in hot summer areas.
• Perfect as a specimen plant or in shrub borders, as a flowering hedge or screen, or for foundation plantings.
• Low maintenance, this plant has no serious pest or disease issues.
• Prune as required immediately after flowering.
• Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings taken in the fall. If seeds need to be stored, they will need a period of stratification.
• Native to the eastern and central United States.