Mapleleaf viburnum.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous shrub

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Indoor light

Medium light

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

6 feet

Growth rate

Slow

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 8

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Care

This shrub thrives in well draining soil and appreciates a layer of mulch to keep its roots cool. Watch for wilting during dry spells, as it prefers consistent moisture while establishing. It is quite hardy and needs little fuss once it settles into your garden.

Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the first year.

Feeding

Apply a balanced organic fertilizer once in early spring.

Pruning

Prune immediately after flowering if you need to shape the shrub.

Repotting

This plant is best suited for the ground rather than containers.

Soil

Well draining, acidic to neutral soil

Soil pH

5.5 to 7.0

Temperature

-30 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 20 to 50 years

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

There are no significant reports of human toxicity for this species.

Children

The berries may pose a minor choking hazard to small children if ingested in large quantities.

Contact allergens

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling the foliage.

Airborne allergens

The pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals during the flowering season.

Edibility

The berries are generally considered non-toxic but are not typically consumed by humans due to poor flavor.

How to identify it

• Leaves resemble maple tree foliage
• Small white flower clusters in spring
• Dark blue to black fall berries
• Opposite leaf arrangement on stems
• Stems have fine hairs

Height

0.9 to 1.8m

Spread

0.9 to 1.8m

Leaves

green, purple, red, deciduous

Flowers

white, pinkish-white, 0.5 to 1cm

Fruit

black, dark-blue, Late summer to early autumn

Common problems

• Viburnum leaf beetle — Small beetles can cause significant defoliation if left unchecked.
• Powdery mildew — A fungal infection that creates a white dusty coating on the leaves.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings, division

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

Mulch the base in late autumn to protect roots from extreme temperature fluctuations. No pruning is necessary during winter.

In containers

It is not well suited for long term container growth due to its size and root requirements.

Group this shrub with other woodland natives to create a self-sustaining forest floor community.

Grows well with

• Wild Ginger — They share similar shade and moisture requirements.
• Christmas Fern — It provides a nice textural contrast in woodland settings.

Similar species

• Mapleleaf Viburnum — This is the primary species discussed.

Science

Family

Viburnaceae

Genus

Viburnum

Order

Dipsacales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern North America

Conservation

This plant is secure and widely distributed throughout its native range.

It grows as an understory shrub in deciduous forests, adapted to low light levels.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, bird food source, larval host plant

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Uses

ornamental shrub, woodland garden plant, wildlife hedge

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?

No, it actually prefers partial to full shade.

Is it deer resistant?

It has moderate resistance to deer browsing.

Where the name comes from

The species name acerifolium refers to the maple-like shape of the leaves, derived from the Latin acer for maple and folium for leaf.

Good to know

• The leaves look remarkably like those of a maple tree.
• It is one of the few viburnums that thrives in deep shade.
• The berries turn from red to black as they ripen.

Also in

• Plants for shade