Black Haw Viburnum

The Blackhaw Viburnum is a deciduous, multi-stemmed flowering shrub that grows in an irregular round shape. This bush is native to North America and most commonly found from Connecticut east to western Kansas. It’s also located south to Alabama and in some parts of Texas. The Blackhaw Viburnum is most often planted in pleasure gardens and grows as a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree. With a twiggy habit, it is often considered an excellent hedge plant and is very easy to transplant due to its hearty design. It is usually planted because of its profusion of flowers and is an easy way to add color and interest to a landscape. It is a full sun and partial shade plant, which means it only needs 4 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight a day. Its hearty nature means it can withstand a drought and will grow in acidic, loamy, alkaline, fertile, sandy, moist, well-drained, and silty, loamy soils. In spring, the Blackhaw sprouts 2-4” in diameter, creamy, white flowers. The buds gather in flat clusters. Shortly after the blooms appear, usually April and May, berry-like drupes will show up. The ½” long edible drupes start off pink or rose in color and eventually turn blue, almost black, at maturity. Birds and various types of wildlife use the drupes as a source of food. When the foliage turns dark green, the intense purple hues will catch the eye of all that see it. Towards fall, the purple hues will turn burgundy red and still be impressive. Most Blackhaw Viburnums grow at a slow to medium rate.It is common for this flowering shrub to have height increases of less than 12” to more than 24” in one year.