Mapleleaf Viburnum

(Viburnum acerifolium)

Mapleleaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Viburnum acerifolium, commonly known as Mapleleaf Viburnum, is a deciduous shrub or subshrub native to the understory of deciduous forests in the Eastern United States. It typically grows to 1–2 meters (3 ft 3 in – 6 ft 7 in) tall and is known for its highly variable fall foliage, which can range from pale yellow to bright yellow, orange, pink, rose, or red-purple, influenced by light exposure and weather. The shrub features white flowers with five small petals, blooming in terminal cymes 4–8 centimeters (1.6–3.1 in) in diameter, which are moderately showy and appear in late spring to early summer. The fruit is a small, red to purple-black drupe 4–8 mm long, which is attractive to birds and other wildlife.

Mapleleaf Viburnum is valued for its adaptability to shade and dry soils, making it suitable for woodland gardens, naturalized areas, and shady borders. It is a larval host for the Celastrina ladon butterfly, adding ecological value. This species is tolerant of a range of soil pH from acidic to slightly alkaline (pH 5.0 to 7.5) and is known for its ability to form colonies through suckering, which can be useful for erosion control. Despite its benefits, it remains underutilized in landscaping, often recommended by landscape architects for challenging sites but not widely known in the nursery trade or among homeowners. It prefers well-drained soils and can thrive in full sun to part shade, though it is naturally adapted to grow in full shade.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Shrub
  • Height: 3-6 feet
  • Width: 2-4 feet
  • Growth Rate: Slow
  • Flower Color: White
  • Flowering Season: Spring
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Fire Resistant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Understory of deciduous forests in the Eastern United States

Other Names

Common Names: Dockmackie , Maple-Leaved Arrowwood , Maple-Leaved Viburnum , Possom Haw , Arrow-Wood , Possum Haw , Viorne À Feuilles D’Érable

Scientific Names: Viburnum acerifolium , Viburnum acerifolium f. acerifolium , Viburnum acerifolium var. glabrescens , Viburnum acerifolium f. ovatum , Viburnum acerifolium var. acerifolium , Viburnum involucratum , Viburnum acerifolium var. ovatum , Viburnum acerifolium f. collinsii , Viburnum acerifolium var. densiflorum , Viburnum densiflorum

GBIF Accepted Name: Viburnum acerifolium L.