Viburnum, Blackhaw

One of our most resilient native small trees, Blackhaw Viburnum, or Viburnum prunifolium, thrives as an understory tree or along the edges of woodlands and successfully competes with some of the most notorious invasive plants such as Bush Honeysuckle. Tolerant of high pH and clay soils, Blackhaw Viburnum can handle either full sun or partial shade. It usually reaches a height of 12'-30' with a 6'-12' spread. It can also be quite ornamental with its snow-white panicles of flowers and glossy, disease-resistant foliage that often turns a beautiful wine-red in the fall. The interesting bark reminds one of alligator hide. If used as a specimen, Blackhaw Viburnum may require considerable training as some trees develop renegade growth habits. In autumn, the white, non-fragrant flowers change to blue-black, berry-type drupes that, in many cases, persist into winter and remain quite attractive to birds and wildlife. These fruits are also edible. They may be eaten off the bush when ripe or preserved in jams or jellies.