top of page

Arrowwood Viburnum

Viburnum dentatum

The Native Powerhouse: Viburnum dentatum (Arrowwood)


The Snapshot

  • Common Name: Arrowwood Viburnum, Southern Arrowwood

  • Scientific Name: Viburnum dentatum

  • Origin: Native to the Eastern US (Ubiquitous in NJ woodlands)

  • Hardiness: Zones 3 – 8 (Tougher than a Jersey winter).

  • The "Vibe": Upright, multi-stemmed, and vigorous; the "Naturalist's Choice."

Why It’s a Jersey Wildlife & Privacy Essential

  • The "Arrow" Stems: It gets its name from its incredibly straight, strong branches that Native Americans once used for making arrow shafts. This makes it an excellent, structured hedge.

  • The Pollinator Flat-Tops: In late May and June, it produces flat clusters of creamy white flowers. They aren't "showy" like a rose, but they are a massive nectar source for Butterflies and Native Bees.

  • Metallic Blue Berries: By late summer, the flowers turn into clusters of intense, metallic blue fruits. They are a high-fat "superfood" for migrating songbirds like Bluebirds and Catbirds.

  • Glossy "Toothed" Foliage: The leaves are deeply veined with "toothed" edges (hence dentatum), staying a glossy, healthy green all summer before turning a beautiful yellow, orange, or reddish-purple in the fall.

Stories from the Garden

"I have a property line in Moorestown that I needed to screen off from a busy road. I didn't want the typical Arborvitae, so I planted Arrowwood Viburnums. They grew like crazy—about 2 feet a year! Now I have an 8-foot-tall, thick green wall that blooms in the spring and feeds the birds in the fall. They handle the NJ humidity perfectly and I haven't had a single disease issue."

— Tom B., Zone 7 Gardener (Moorestown, NJ)


Designer Tips: Where to Plant

  • The "Living Fence": Plant them 4 feet apart to create a dense, deciduous privacy screen that looks much more "natural" than a vinyl fence.

  • The Bird-Watcher’s Corner: Place a cluster of Arrowwood near a window. You will have a front-row seat to a bird-feeding frenzy every September.

  • The "Rough Edge" Transition: Use it to transition between a manicured lawn and a wilder woodland or meadow.

Designer Pro-Tip: The "Two-Variety" Secret. To get the massive clusters of blue berries everyone wants, you need cross-pollination. If you plant only 'Blue Muffin', you'll get some berries; but if you plant 'Blue Muffin' near a 'Chicago Lustre', you’ll get a berry explosion!


The "Viburnum Leaf Beetle" Warning

In some parts of North Jersey, a pest called the Viburnum Leaf Beetle has become an issue.

  • The Fix: Inspect your plants in winter for egg cases on the tips of branches and snip them off. Or, choose the most resistant varieties like 'Chicago Lustre'.

bottom of page