Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Viburnum obovatum (Small-leaf arrowwood)
Comment on a listing
Plant supplier links
- Login to upload a photo
1 hour care
per year
per year
8m
Max height
Max height
3m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Viburnum obovatum
Other names
Small-leaf arrowwood, Small-leaf viburnum, Walter viburnum, Viburnum nashii, Walter's viburnum
Genus
Viburnum Viburnum
Species
V. obovatum - V. obovatum is an upright, suckering, semi-evergreen shrub or small tree with obovate, dark green leaves turning shades of purple in autumn. Domed cymes of tiny, white flowers in spring are followed by ovoid blue-black fruit.
Viburnum obovatum is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Suckering, Upright
Toxicity
Berries may cause stomach discomfort.
Flower
White in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Resistant to damage by deer (Deer Resistant A - Rarely Damaged).
General care
Pruning
Pruning Group 1.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Viburnum obovatum (Small-leaf arrowwood) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 3m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Planted in groups, Woodland
Cultivation
Best in consistently moist soil in full sun or partial shade but easily grows in most moist but well-drained soils. Tolerates wet soil and shade. May be deciduous in the coldest part of its growing range. In ideal conditions, my spread by suckers to form a thicket. Benefits from a winter mulch in the coldest area of its range. Resistant to damage by deer.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Viburnum obovatum
Other names
Small-leaf arrowwood, Small-leaf viburnum, Walter viburnum, Viburnum nashii, Walter's viburnum
Genus
Viburnum Viburnum
Species
V. obovatum - V. obovatum is an upright, suckering, semi-evergreen shrub or small tree with obovate, dark green leaves turning shades of purple in autumn. Domed cymes of tiny, white flowers in spring are followed by ovoid blue-black fruit.
Native to
Southeastern United States
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Suckering, Upright
Toxicity
Berries may cause stomach discomfort.
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
White in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Resistant to damage by deer (Deer Resistant A - Rarely Damaged).
General care
Pruning
Pruning Group 1.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Viburnum obovatum (Small-leaf arrowwood) will reach a height of 8m and a spread of 3m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Planted in groups, Woodland
Cultivation
Best in consistently moist soil in full sun or partial shade but easily grows in most moist but well-drained soils. Tolerates wet soil and shade. May be deciduous in the coldest part of its growing range. In ideal conditions, my spread by suckers to form a thicket. Benefits from a winter mulch in the coldest area of its range. Resistant to damage by deer.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3, Zone 2
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login