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Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw)

Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw) small tree form in a residential landscape in April.
Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw) flower buds in early April.
Viburnum prunifolium (black haw) cymes with syrphid fly in April.
Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw) flowers in May
Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw) ovate and obovate leaves in May
Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw) immature fruit in June
Ripening drupes of the Viburnum prunifolium,(Black Haw) shrub. Photo © 2018 Elaine Mills
Ripe drupes of the Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw) in October
Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw) shrub form in a residential landscape in November.

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Viburnum prunifolium Black Haw Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic The upright oval crown common in the young plants of this elegant shrub often becomes, with age, irregular with drooping lower branches. Creamy white flowers give way to pink berry-like fruits, edible when ripened to deep blue-black. Native mainly to thickets and woods, it is common throughout the Mid-Atlantic* (except the northern half of Pennsylvania). Shrub April Shrub, Flowers, Foliage; Oct. Tree, Fruit Height: 12–15 feet Spread: 6–12 feet Bloom Color: White Characteristics Large, upright, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small, single-trunk tree Opposite, finely serrated, ovate to obovate, glabrous leaves turn flaming red to burgundy in fall Cymes of creamy, sweetly fragrant, sessile or pedunculate flowers in April and May Edible blue-black drupes from July to November Attributes Tolerates clay soil, drought, air pollution, and black walnut No serious pests or diseases; deer seldom severely damage but may browse twigs & foliage Fruit may be eaten when ripe or used in preserves Attracts myriad (mainly small) bees, flies, and lepidopterans to the flowers and birds and small animals to fruit; larval host to ~102 lepidopterans including Hummingbird & Snowberry Clearwings Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Excellent Replacement for Eleagnus umbellata - Autumn Olive Euonymus alatus - Burning Bush Water Requirements: Dry, Moist Ligustrum spp. - Privets Prune immediately after flowering because buds for next year’s flowers form in summer Viburnum spp. - Asian Viburnums Use as specimen plant, in shrub borders, in native plant gardens, or as hedge or screen Hardiness: USDA Zones 3a–9b *It is native in DC and common in DE, MD, and throughout VA. In PA, it is found mostly in the southern half of the state. developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, private gardens, Arlington, Virginia and (flowers) National Garden, U.S. Botanic Garden

Tried and True Native Plant Selections 
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw)

The upright oval crown common in the young plants of this elegant shrub often becomes, with age, irregular with drooping lower branches. Creamy white flowers give way to pink berry-like fruits, edible when ripened to deep blue-black. Native mainly to thickets and woods, it is common throughout the Mid-Atlantic* (except the northern half of Pennsylvania).

*It is native in DC and common in DE, MD, and throughout VA. In PA, it is found mostly in the southern half of the state. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets