Viburnum Blue Muffin® Arrowwood

A Proven Winners® flowering shrub, Viburnum Blue Muffin® Arrowwood is tall deciduous native shrub that reaches a mature height of 5 to 7 feet tall and wide, depending on growing conditions. In late spring, flat-topped clusters of white flowers cover the shrub, giving way to blue berry-like drupes if planted close to a suitable mutual pollinator, such as All That Glitters® or All That Glows®. The flowers support early emerging butterflies, and the berries create winter interest and sustain songbirds.

A Viburnum dentatum variety, commonly called arrowwood viburnum, Viburnum Blue Muffin® Arrowwood has a mound-shaped habit and is great addition to a low-maintenance landscape as a foundation, screening, shrub border, or hedge plant. This shrub is so tough, it's often used in parking lot plantings, so you know it will be a no-fuss option in your yard.

Cold hardy to Zone 3 and super easy to grow, arrowwood viburnum grows best in a sunny to partly sunny location with moist, well-draining average to loamy soil, but it adapts to a variety of soils, including heavy soils and soils with a high pH. The shrub withstands changes in climates and tolerates salt. And although it's considered deer resistant, the animals may eat the flowers, especially on young plants, which prevents the fruits from forming. So, if that is your main reason for growing Blue Muffin and deer are a challenge in your area, you may want to protect the bush with netting or a repellent. If pruned immediately after flowering, no fruit will form.

A native plant, arrowwood viburnum is indigenous to North America. Native plants are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly. Naturally adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the region, they thrive without fertilizers or extra watering, once established. They also act as natural pest controls, reducing the need for pesticides in the garden. Landscaping with native plants promotes biodiversity and provides shelter and quality food for wildlife and pollinators, bringing gardens to life.

Photo courtesy of Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Shrubs