Arrowwood viburnum
Viburnum dentatum
Straight stems once used for arrows; blue berries for birds.
Hardiness: zones 3 to 8
Light: full sun to part shade
Size: about 10 ft tall, 10 ft wide
From: E. North America
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: pollinators, wildlife, butterfly and moth caterpillars.
Native to: Northeast, Southeast, Midwest & Great Lakes, Eastern Canada. Hardy in zones 3 to 8.
The story
Arrowwood sends up straight, strong shoots from the base, and Native peoples across the East used them for arrow shafts. Today it is one of the most dependable native shrubs for a hedge.
Planting
Sun or part shade and average soil, wet or dry. Plant two different seedlings or varieties for a good berry crop.
Growing
Thin the oldest stems every few years. It asks for little else.
Harvest and use
Creamy flower clusters in June and blue-black berries in September that are high in fat, just what migrating thrushes and catbirds need.
What to watch for
Viburnum leaf beetle in the Northeast can strip it. Check for it before planting a long hedge.
See if Arrowwood viburnum fits your yard
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More native and wild plants
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home