Arrowwood Viburnum Light Requirements

Growth and Light Requirements

• Arrowwood viburnum grows well in areas of partial shade to full sun. The plant also adapts to the filtered light under larger trees, such as oak or pine. The plants thrive in fertile, moist soil with a preferred pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Amend the soil with organic matter prior to planting so that there is 10- to 20-percent organic matter in the root zone. Once established, the plant is drought hardy. It has superb tolerance for salt, making it well suited for use in coastal gardens. Arrowwood viburnum is hardy in USDA zones 2 to 8.

Description

• Arrowwood viburnum has a mature height of 6 to 10 feet with an equal spread. The plant has multiple trunks and spreads with underground runners. The 2- to 3-inch-long, dark green, glossy foliage has coarsely toothed margins and is oval shaped. The small, white flowers grow in the form of flat-topped, 3- to 4-inch-wide clusters. Individual flowers measure 1/8 inch in diameter and bloom during the middle of spring. The flowers are followed by bluish black, berry like, ½-inch fruit with a bitter taste.

Pruning

• Prune the plant regularly to keep it to a desired height as arrow-wood viburnum responds well to pruning. Prune during the early spring. Remove any old, weak canes from plants. Even if plants are left to grow naturally, growth is better with occasional thinning of the canes. Avoid light shearing--an overall light pruning of the plant--as this tends to reduce flower bud and berry production.

Problems

• All viburnums are generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, stressed plants and those growing in less than optimal conditions are prone to certain problems. Common pest-related issues include thrips, aphids, scale, root weevils, spider mites and plant parasitic nematode infestations. Pathogenic infections include fungal leaf spots and bacterial leaf spot.