Smooth Arrowwood

Scientific name

Viburnum recognitum

Description

The Smooth Arrowwood is a medium sized, deciduous shrub that grows from 1-5 m tall. The leaves are simple, oppositely arranged, and have coarsely toothed margins. In the spring and summer, the leaves have a dark green and glossy color. Fall colors can vary between yellow, red, or reddish purple and change in the late autumn. The flowers are showy, creamy white colored, appear in small, flat clusters, and bloom from late May to June. Berries are small, dark blue to black in color, and develop from August to November. This shrub also has gray bark and slender stems. Smooth Arrowwood is an attractive species and an excellent food source for many bird species. It is easy to transport, plant, and grow so could be used for mass planting. The shrub can be propagated from seeds or cuttings for expanding in the area or for future use at different sites. Growing Smooth Arrowwood is low maintenance but occasional pruning may be beneficial for shaping.

Planting conditions

This shrub species is very adaptable and durable, tolerant of acidic and salt concentrated soil, thus may be considered for sites that are difficult for growing. Additionally, this shrub species is mostly free from any serious disease or insect pests that may harm the plantings. This species naturally grows in open forests, forest edges, wet meadows and fields, riparian areas, swamps, and marshes. The common name is derived being used by Native Americans for arrow shafts because of the straight young stems.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Any
  • Over 3m
• Moisture level:
  • Dry
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Wet
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
  • Shade
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Clay
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Eco Zone:
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
  • 7a
• Plant type:
  • Shrub
• Height:
  • 1-5 m
• Spread:
  • 2.5 m