Phlox Subulata (moss pink) in landscape. Photo © Elaine Mills

Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw)

Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw) flower buds about to bloom in April. Photo © 2015 Elaine Mills

Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw) flowers in May

Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw) 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

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Common throughout the Mid-Atlantic (except the northern half of Pennsylvania), this elegant shrub grows mainly in thickets and woods. The upright oval crown common in young plants often becomes, with age, irregular with drooping lower branches. Creamy white flowers give way to pink berry-like fruits (drupes), edible when ripened to deep blue-black. Shrub Shrub, Leaves, Flowers, 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 serrate, deep green, oval leaves Cymes of creamy, sweetly fragrant, sessile or pedunculate flowers in April and May Edible blue-black drupes from July to November Flaming red to burgundy fall foliage 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 Flowers attract myriad (mainly small) bees, flies and Lepidoptera; larval host to various moths including Hummingbird Clearwing; fruits attract birds and small animals Growing and Maintenance Tips Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Water Requirements: Dry, Moist Prune immediately after flowering because buds for next year’s flowers form in summer Use as specimen plant, in shrub borders, in native plant gardens, or as hedge or screen Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–9 Excellent Replacement for Eleagnus umbellata - Autumn Olive Euonymus alatus - Burning Bush Ligustrum species - Privets developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, National Garden, U.S. Botanic Garden

Tried and True Native Plant Selections
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Viburnum prunifolium (Black Haw)

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

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

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