Viburnum Species, Blackhaw Viburnum, Smooth Blackhaw, Stag Bush, Stagberry, Sweet Haw

It is a handsome small, shrubby tree that I have seen wild in the woodlands of southeast PA in some spots in part shade .It has handsome ...Read Moreshiny foliage of rounded leaves that usually color good in autumn, usually red. It forms a wide habit with stiff branching that has some sharp woody spurs; thus, often called Blackhaw, sort of like a hawthorn. It bears typical flattish white clusters of viburnum flowers in May that bear black fruit in late summer into winter that is loved by birds and is edible for humans. It is sold by a good number of large nurseries or native nurseries, but it is only planted occasionally, mostly by landscape architects and designers, as the general public does not know this tree. It grows about 1.5 to 2.5 feet/year and lives about 50 to 100 years. Nannyberry Viburnum is very similar, but the later has much bigger leaves, grows upright arching, and does not have the stiff branching with woody spurs.

Native from Connecticut down to Florida and west to Texas, this medium sized (15' tall, 8'-12' wide) deciduous shrub has a rounded crown ...Read Morewith stiff branches that can be trained as a small tree. The common name comes from the dark fruit and the plant's resemblance to hawthorn. Flat topped clusters of white flowers to 4" across are showy in spring followed by blue-black, edible fruit that start out pink and mature to black and reddish purple foliage in the fall.

This is very easy to grow in full sun to partial shade, is easily transplanted, and easily adapts to different soils. It can be used as a screen, a specimen, in mass plantings, and to attract birds. It has no serious insect or disease problems. If you have read the other viburnum descriptions, you may be starting to realize why I think this genus is so outstanding. They can be propogated from seed.