Viburnum for Texas

Get ready to plant Virburnum NOW!

In Texas, once established Virburnum is a showy flowering shrub that is more drought tolerant that other shrubs, such as azaleas! This white beauty stands out as a mid-spring bloomer. There are many types of viburnum and this is not a hot seller at local nurseries principally because most of the attractive viburnums are deciduous shrubs.

Native Americans reportedly used the straight stems of the arrow head viburnum shrub for arrow shafts.

Viburnum Species Suitable for Texas

Rusty Blackhaw (Viburnum rufidulum)

Type: Deciduous shrub or small tree
Size: Typically 12–20 feet tall, occasionally up to 35 feet
Growth Habit: Multi-trunked with arching branches
Foliage: Glossy dark green leaves turning yellow, orange, or red in fall
Flowers: Showy white clusters in spring
Fruit: Dark blue drupes attractive to wildlife
Soil Preference: Deep, well-drained soils
Recognition: Recommended by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension as an excellent specimen or understory tree

Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)

Type: Deciduous shrub
Size: 6–15 feet tall and wide
Growth Habit: Rounded, multi-stemmed
Foliage: Dark green leaves with yellow to reddish-purple fall color
Flowers: Cream-colored clusters in late spring
Fruit: Blue-black berries
Adaptability: Tolerant of various soil types, including clay and alkaline soils
Cultivars: ‘Blue Muffin’ (compact form), ‘Chicago Lustre’ (upright form)

Possumhaw Viburnum (Viburnum nudum)

Type: Deciduous shrub
Size: 5–12 feet tall and wide
Growth Habit: Rounded, upright-spreading
Foliage: Glossy dark green leaves turning maroon to dark red-purple in fall
Flowers: Creamy-white clusters in spring
Fruit: Berries transitioning from pink to blue to purplish-black
Soil Preference: Moist soils; tolerates occasional drought
Cultivars: ‘Winterthur’ (compact form with glossy foliage)

Sweet Viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum)

Type: Evergreen shrub
Size: 10–20 feet tall
Growth Habit: Upright, dense
Foliage: Large, glossy green leaves
Flowers: White, lightly fragrant clusters in mid-spring
Fruit: Red berries maturing to black
Climate Suitability: Thrives in USDA zones 8a–10b; suitable for eastern Texas

Recognitions and Awards

While specific awards for Viburnum species are not extensively documented, many cultivars are recognized for their ornamental value and adaptability.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommends Rusty Blackhaw and Arrowwood Viburnum for their performance in Texas landscapes.

SDA Viburnum Species Overview

The USDA Plants Database provides comprehensive profiles for numerous Viburnum species. Notable species include:

Viburnum dentatum (Arrowwood Viburnum): A hardy, multi-stemmed shrub known for its adaptability and ornamental value.
Viburnum prunifolium (Blackhaw Viburnum): A small tree or large shrub with attractive flowers and fruit, suitable for various landscapes.
Viburnum nudum (Possumhaw Viburnum): Valued for its glossy foliage and colorful berries, thriving in moist environments.
Viburnum acerifolium (Mapleleaf Viburnum): A shade-tolerant shrub with distinctive maple-like leaves and good fall color.

For detailed information on these and other species, visit the USDA Plants Database:

USDA Plants Database – Viburnum Species

University of Pennsylvania (PAEnflowered) Viburnum Listings

The University of Pennsylvania’s PAEnflowered project documents Viburnum species native to Pennsylvania, many of which are also suitable for Texas gardens:

Viburnum dentatum (Arrowwood Viburnum): Known for its adaptability and ornamental features.
Viburnum prunifolium (Blackhaw Viburnum): Offers attractive flowers and fruit, suitable for various landscapes.Gardenia
Viburnum nudum (Possumhaw Viburnum): Thrives in moist environments with its glossy foliage and colorful berries.
Viburnum acerifolium (Mapleleaf Viburnum): A shade-tolerant shrub with distinctive maple-like leaves and good fall color.

For more details, explore the PAEnflowered Viburnum listings:paenflowered.org

PAEnflowered – Viburnum Species

Viburnum Varieties Best Suited for Texas

Considering Texas’s diverse climates, the following Viburnum species are recommended:

Viburnum rufidulum (Rusty Blackhaw): A native species well-adapted to Texas conditions, offering ornamental value.
Viburnum dentatum (Arrowwood Viburnum): Adaptable to various soil types and climates, making it suitable for many Texas regions.
Viburnum prunifolium (Blackhaw Viburnum): Tolerant of different soil conditions and climates, ideal for Texas landscapes.

These species are recognized for their resilience and ornamental appeal in Texas environments.

1. Q: Which viburnum varieties perform best in Texas climates?
A: Top performers include Viburnum obovatum (‘Densa’ or ‘Mrs. Schiller’s Delight’) for East Texas, Viburnum tinus for Central Texas, and Viburnum rufidulum (rusty blackhaw viburnum), a native species that handles the heat and drought of Central and North Texas. Viburnum dentatum (arrowwood viburnum) also grows well in slightly more moist or shaded areas.

2. Q: How does viburnum handle the differences between East and Central Texas?
A: In East Texas, viburnum thrives thanks to higher humidity and richer soils—particularly V. obovatum and V. dentatum. In Central Texas, where soils are alkaline and summers are drier, native species like V. rufidulum do best. V. tinus also performs well in protected, irrigated sites in Austin and San Antonio but may suffer in prolonged drought without supplemental water.

3. Q: Does viburnum need full sun or can it grow in shade?
A: Most viburnum varieties prefer full sun to part shade, but some, like V. obovatum and V. dentatum, tolerate more shade—especially in hotter regions like Central Texas. Native types such as V. rufidulum prefer full sun but are tolerant of some afternoon shade. Too much shade reduces flowering and dense form.

4. Q: What are common problems or pests affecting viburnum in Texas?
A: In East Texas, powdery mildew and aphids may appear in humid conditions. In Central and North Texas, spider mites can become a problem during dry spells. Poor drainage or overwatering leads to root rot, especially in clay soils. Deer also browse some varieties heavily, particularly V. tinus and V. opulus.

5. Q: Does viburnum attract wildlife, and is it worth planting for habitat value?
A: Yes. Viburnum is highly valued for supporting wildlife. Its flowers attract pollinators, and fruit feeds birds, especially with native types like V. rufidulum and V. dentatum. These are solid choices for low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly Texas landscapes.