Arrowwood Viburnum
Arrowwood Viburnum
A Rugged Native Shrub for Hedges and Wildlife
Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is a tough, adaptable Minnesota native and one of the best all-around hedge shrubs you can plant. Flat clusters of creamy-white flowers in late spring feed pollinators, blue-black berries follow to draw songbirds, and the glossy green foliage turns rich red to burgundy in fall. Fast-growing, dependable, and deer-resistant, it thrives in sun or shade and a wide range of soils in Eden Prairie, Plymouth, and Eagan.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Viburnum dentatum |
| Mature Size | 6–10 ft tall and wide |
| Hardiness Zone | Zone 3–8 (fully hardy across Minnesota) |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Bloom Time | Late spring (creamy-white clusters) |
| Fruit | Blue-black berries (late summer) |
| Soil | Highly adaptable; tolerates wet and dry soils |
Landscape Uses
Use Arrowwood as a hedge, screen, or large specimen in borders, native and pollinator plantings, and wildlife gardens. Its adaptability to sun, shade, and varied soils makes it one of the most versatile native shrubs available.
Best Time to Plant
Plant in spring or early fall. This tough native establishes easily across Minnesota.
How to Plant
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the soil, backfill, water in well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep, keeping mulch off the stems.
Watering
First Year: Water deeply 2–3 times per week to establish the roots.
After Year One: Water during dry spells; it tolerates both wet and dry soils once established.
Drip Irrigation: A drip line or soaker hose keeps the root zone evenly moist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a Minnesota native?
Yes, arrowwood viburnum is native to Minnesota and excellent for wildlife.
Will it grow in tough spots?
Yes, it's remarkably adaptable to sun or shade and wet or dry soil.
Does it produce berries?
Yes, blue-black berries that songbirds love; fruit set improves with another arrowwood nearby.
Is it deer resistant?
Yes, viburnums are generally deer-resistant.
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Pair Arrowwood with Blue Muffin and our other native viburnums for a wildlife-friendly hedge with strong berry set.
How Many Arrowwood Viburnum Do I Need?
For a privacy hedge or screen, space Arrowwood 5–6 feet apart (mature width 6–10 ft — they knit into a solid wall):
| Run Length | Plants Needed |
|---|---|
| 10 ft | 3 |
| 20 ft | 4–5 |
| 30 ft | 6–7 |
| 40 ft | 8 |
Always include at least two arrowwoods (or a Blue Muffin) in the planting — cross-pollination dramatically improves the berry crop.
Arrowwood Viburnum Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: Flat, creamy-white flower clusters cover the shrub in late spring, buzzing with native bees and butterflies.
- Summer: Glossy, toothed green leaves make a dense screen while blue-black berries ripen in late summer.
- Fall: Foliage turns rich red to burgundy as songbirds strip the berry clusters.
- Winter: Upright, arching stems hold their structure and give birds cover through the cold months.
At a Glance
✔ Minnesota Native ✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Shade-Tolerant ✔ Rain-Garden / Wet-Soil
Plant It With
- Blue Muffin Viburnum — a compact arrowwood selection that cross-pollinates for a heavier berry set on both plants.
- Compact American Cranberrybush — native red berries to complement the blue-black ones.
- Red Feather Viburnum — striking red new growth for a mixed viburnum hedge.
- Gray Dogwood — a fellow thicket-forming native that extends the wildlife screen.
Is Arrowwood Viburnum Right for Your Yard?
One of the most forgiving shrubs we sell — sun or shade, wet or dry, clay or loam, deer pressure or not, it grows. Choose it for property-line hedges, native plantings, and bird gardens where you can give it space. Not a fit for tight foundation beds: at 6–10 feet tall and wide it will outgrow a small spot fast — use Blue Muffin there instead.