Viburnum, Blackhaw, Bare Root

Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium)

A large shrub or small tree for a roomy border or woodland edge. Blackhaw can join an edible landscape while retaining the branching structure and seasonal food of a habitat shrub.

Key Characteristics

A small fruit with a large stone

Ripe flesh is sweet but thin around the stone. Try fully ripe fruit fresh or in preserves, removing stones from food preparations.

Host leaves and autumn fruit

Spring and summer azure butterflies use blackhaw as a host. Songbirds, squirrels, and chipmunks take the ripe fruit.

A hedge or a small tree

Retain several stems for cover or train selected stems into a tree form. Additional blackhaw seedlings improve the fruiting group; deep shade can greatly reduce bloom.

Product Details

• Native range: Eastern and central North America
• Life cycle: Deciduous woody perennial
• Sun: Full Sun; Part Sun/Shade; Full Shade
• Soil moisture: Dry; Medium-Dry; Medium
• Mature height: 12–15 feet
• Bloom: April–May
• Bloom color: White, Cream
• USDA hardiness zones: 3–9
• Fruit or seed: Small, thin-fleshed, sweet blue-black drupes when fully ripe; one stone per fruit.
• Pollination: Plant two or more genetically distinct blackhaw seedlings with overlapping bloom for better fruiting.

Planting and Ongoing Care

Keep bare roots moist until planting, water the root zone during establishment, and mulch without covering the crown. Base fertilizer on a soil test; our Tree Planting Kit fertilizer blend can be used according to its label when feeding is needed.

Usually needs modest intervention. Inspect dieback and leaf spots before treatment and keep mulch away from the trunk. Avoid insecticides on open flowers. Seed-grown plants vary in growth, flowering, and fruiting.