Arrowwood Viburnum Is a Hearty Native Plant That Polinators Love

Hello Gardeners, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. Davis Sander of South Pleasantburg Nursery came to the show recently with a collection of viburnums. One in particular caught my eye as it has great value for wildlife, especially pollinators and birds. Viburnum dentatum, arrowwood viburnum, gets its common name according to Michael Dirr because the very strong root shoots, this plant can sucker and spread, were used for the shafts of arrows by native Americans. It’s an exceptionally hearty plant and can be used in difficult situations with harsh conditions – think parking lots. But in your landscape, a grouping of these plants, if you select named cultivars with improved fall coloring, can be a dramatic focal point. The flat clusters of white flowers appear creamy because of the very showy yellow stamens – a draw for numerous pollinators, followed by blue fruits. Plant several cultivars as they are not self-fertile.