Arrowwood viburnum (*Viburnum dentatum*) is a flowering shrub and a native plant to the eastern part of North America. Also known by the common names American arrowwood or Southern arrowwood, the name for arrowwood viburnum comes from the fact that the Native Americans once used the wood of this plant to make arrow shafts. 

This deciduous shrub is part of the honeysuckle family and is commonly used as a hedge plant in landscaping. Arrowwood [viburnum](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/viburnum-guide) is round in shape with multiple stems that grow oval, dark green leaves with small spiky teeth around their edges. In fall, the plant’s leaves transition to vibrant fall colors, and in spring, it blooms creamy white flowers that bear blue-black berries. 

Plant arrowwood viburnum in the fall or early spring, after the final frost has passed. Flowers will bloom in the spring with the black and blue fruits maturing in the late summer or early fall. This shrub thrives in a variety of climates, growing in [USDA hardiness zones](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-planting-zones) two through eight, and does best in full sun. 

While arrowwood viburnums can be [propagated](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-propagate-plants) from seed, the germination process can take about eight months and involves alternating stratification temperatures. For a higher chance of <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-succession-planting-to-grow-more-vegetables' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-succession-planting-to-grow-more-vegetables","linkCopy":"successful planting","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>successful planting</a>, it’s best to take softwood cuttings from an existing plant. Here is how to grow arrowwood viburnum from cuttings. 

1. __Choose your planting spot__. Arrowwoods prefer moist, well-drained soil, usually with a soil pH between 5.0 and 6.5. Prepare a growing container with this type of soil. Your growing container should also receive full sun to partial shade, with at least four hours of sunlight a day. 
2. __Make your softwood cuttings__. Cut a few branches from an established arrowwood viburnum bush. Make your cuttings about six inches long, and remove any leaves from the bottom two inches of your cutting. 
3. __Plant your cuttings in a container__. Apply a rooting hormone to the bottom of your cutting to jump-start the rooting process. Place the cutting in your soil-filled container in indirect sunlight and moisten occasionally. You’ll know your branch has rooted if you can gently pull on it without removing it from the soil. 
4. __Transplant your cuttings__. Once your cuttings have established roots, you are ready to transplant them in their final planting spots. Gently dig your softwood cuttings up without damaging their root systems. Dig a hole big enough to cover the roots, but not too deep as it can trap in too much moisture and lead to root rot. Plant your cutting and tamp it down with soil. Water your cutting immediately. 

In addition to making sophisticated edging plants, arrowwood viburnum attracts useful pollinators such as butterflies, birds, and bees. Here are a series of care tips on how to properly maintain your arrowwood viburnums. 

1. __More sun will produce showier flowers__. While arrowwoods can grow in the shade, more sunlight will produce brighter blooms. However, too much direct sunlight can also cause damage to the plant. 
2. __Monitor for whiteflies and viburnum leaf beetles__. While arrowwood viburnum is mostly pest and disease resistant, the shrub is vulnerable to whiteflies (similar to aphids) and leaf beetles. Check the underside of your green leaves and shrub stems for spots or markings. Use an organic insecticide to treat any ongoing issues, or prune away and dispose of infected branches. 
3. __Prune when necessary__. Arrowwoods don’t require much maintenance, but occasional pruning to strip away any dead, broken, or diseased stems can help keep your foliage thriving. 
4. __Fertilize in the spring__. Use a balanced fertilizer or compost with organic matter around your planting site in the springtime to encourage luscious, vibrant growth. 
5. __Use as a companion plant.__ Viburnums work well alongside plants like lilacs, onions, hydrangeas, and peonies. They attract beneficial insects like the spring azure butterfly and songbirds, which can aid in pollination and contribute to a more lush and healthy garden. 

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.
Arrowwood viburnum is a versatile and low-maintenance edging plant that grows in a variety of temperatures and soil conditions. Learn more about how to grow arrowwood viburnum in your own garden.

Arrowwood viburnum is a versatile and low-maintenance edging plant that grows in a variety of temperatures and soil conditions. Learn more about how to grow arrowwood viburnum in your own garden. 


How to Grow and Care for Arrowwood Viburnum in Your Garden

Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is a flowering shrub and a native plant to the eastern part of North America. Also known by the common names American arrowwood or Southern arrowwood, the name for arrowwood viburnum comes from the fact that the Native Americans once used the wood of this plant to make arrow shafts. This deciduous shrub is part of the honeysuckle family and is commonly used as a hedge plant in landscaping. Arrowwood <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/viburnum-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/viburnum-guide","linkCopy":"viburnum","category":null}'>viburnum</a> is round in shape with multiple stems that grow oval, dark green leaves with small spiky teeth around their edges. In fall, the plant’s leaves transition to vibrant fall colors, and in spring, it blooms creamy white flowers that bear blue-black berries.

What Is Arrowwood Viburnum?

Plant arrowwood viburnum in the fall or early spring, after the final frost has passed. Flowers will bloom in the spring with the black and blue fruits maturing in the late summer or early fall. This shrub thrives in a variety of climates, growing in <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-planting-zones' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-planting-zones","linkCopy":"USDA hardiness zones","category":null}'>USDA hardiness zones</a> two through eight, and does best in full sun.

When to Plant Arrowwood Viburnum

While arrowwood viburnums can be <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-propagate-plants' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-propagate-plants","linkCopy":"propagated","category":null}'>propagated</a> from seed, the germination process can take about eight months and involves alternating stratification temperatures. For a higher chance of <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-succession-planting-to-grow-more-vegetables' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-succession-planting-to-grow-more-vegetables","linkCopy":"successful planting","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>successful planting</a>, it’s best to take softwood cuttings from an existing plant. Here is how to grow arrowwood viburnum from cuttings. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Choose your planting spot. Arrowwoods prefer moist, well-drained soil, usually with a soil pH between 5.0 and 6.5. Prepare a growing container with this type of soil. Your growing container should also receive full sun to partial shade, with at least four hours of sunlight a day. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Make your softwood cuttings. Cut a few branches from an established arrowwood viburnum bush. Make your cuttings about six inches long, and remove any leaves from the bottom two inches of your cutting. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Plant your cuttings in a container. Apply a rooting hormone to the bottom of your cutting to jump-start the rooting process. Place the cutting in your soil-filled container in indirect sunlight and moisten occasionally. You’ll know your branch has rooted if you can gently pull on it without removing it from the soil. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Transplant your cuttings. Once your cuttings have established roots, you are ready to transplant them in their final planting spots. Gently dig your softwood cuttings up without damaging their root systems. Dig a hole big enough to cover the roots, but not too deep as it can trap in too much moisture and lead to root rot. Plant your cutting and tamp it down with soil. Water your cutting immediately. </li></ol>

How to Grow Arrowwood Viburnum

In addition to making sophisticated edging plants, arrowwood viburnum attracts useful pollinators such as butterflies, birds, and bees. Here are a series of care tips on how to properly maintain your arrowwood viburnums. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. More sun will produce showier flowers. While arrowwoods can grow in the shade, more sunlight will produce brighter blooms. However, too much direct sunlight can also cause damage to the plant. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Monitor for whiteflies and viburnum leaf beetles. While arrowwood viburnum is mostly pest and disease resistant, the shrub is vulnerable to whiteflies (similar to aphids) and leaf beetles. Check the underside of your green leaves and shrub stems for spots or markings. Use an organic insecticide to treat any ongoing issues, or prune away and dispose of infected branches. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Prune when necessary. Arrowwoods don’t require much maintenance, but occasional pruning to strip away any dead, broken, or diseased stems can help keep your foliage thriving. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Fertilize in the spring. Use a balanced fertilizer or compost with organic matter around your planting site in the springtime to encourage luscious, vibrant growth. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Use as a companion plant. Viburnums work well alongside plants like lilacs, onions, hydrangeas, and peonies. They attract beneficial insects like the spring azure butterfly and songbirds, which can aid in pollination and contribute to a more lush and healthy garden. </li></ol>

5 Arrowwood Viburnum Care Tips

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described &quot;Gangster Gardener.&quot; Get the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.

Learn More

Arrowwood viburnum is a versatile and low-maintenance edging plant that grows in a variety of temperatures and soil conditions. Learn more about how to grow arrowwood viburnum in your own garden.