Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Viburnum rafinesquianum (Downy arrow wood)
1 hour care
per year
per year
2m
Max height
Max height
2m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Viburnum rafinesquianum
Other names
Downy arrow wood, Downy arrowwood, Rafinesque viburnum, Missouri viburnum
Genus
Viburnum Viburnum
Species
V. rafinesquianum - V. rafinesquianum is an upright to spreading, deciduous shrub with ovate, sparsely toothed, dark green leaves, paler and hairy beneath, turning orange-red to reddish-purple in autumn. Domed clusters of bell- to saucer-shaped, creamy-white flowers in spring are followed by ovoid, somewhat flattened, green fruit ripening black.
Viburnum rafinesquianum is: Deciduous
Habit
Spreading, Upright
Toxicity
Berries may cause stomach discomfort.
Flower
White, Cream in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Orange-red, Reddish-purple in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids Aphids
Leaf spot Leaf spot
General care
Pruning
Pruning Group 8 after flowering.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Viburnum rafinesquianum (Downy arrow wood) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 2m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Flavouring food and drinks, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Planted in groups, Waterside
Cultivation
Easily grown in moist or moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Prefers moist loam but tolerates a wide range of soils, including boggy conditions. Plant in groups for best cross-pollination.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive, 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 rafinesquianum
Other names
Downy arrow wood, Downy arrowwood, Rafinesque viburnum, Missouri viburnum
Genus
Viburnum Viburnum
Species
V. rafinesquianum - V. rafinesquianum is an upright to spreading, deciduous shrub with ovate, sparsely toothed, dark green leaves, paler and hairy beneath, turning orange-red to reddish-purple in autumn. Domed clusters of bell- to saucer-shaped, creamy-white flowers in spring are followed by ovoid, somewhat flattened, green fruit ripening black.
Native to
Eastern North America
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading, 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, Cream in Spring
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Orange-red, Reddish-purple in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Pruning Group 8 after flowering.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood 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 rafinesquianum (Downy arrow wood) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 2m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Flavouring food and drinks, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Planted in groups, Waterside
Cultivation
Easily grown in moist or moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Prefers moist loam but tolerates a wide range of soils, including boggy conditions. Plant in groups for best cross-pollination.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive, 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
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, Moisture-retentive, 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