Viburnum acerifolium aka Arrow Wood

Viburnum acerifolium is a small shrub. Its common name is mapleleaf viburnum. It belongs to the Viburnaceae family and sheds its leaves. It is native to southeastern Canada. Its range also spans the central and eastern United States. It grows beneath trees in both damp and dry woods. Its many stems give it an upright or round form. Garden plants reach 4–6 feet [1.2–1.8 metres] tall. They spread 2–6 feet [0.6–1.8 metres] wide. Growth is moderate. Shoots from the roots can form groups called colonies.

The leaves grow in pairs on opposite sides of stems. Each simple leaf has three lobes and a toothed edge. The leaves look like maple leaves, which explains the common name. They are green and measure about 2–5 inches long. Fine hairs coat the paler backs of the leaves. Fall brings shades of red, pink, purple, and orange. Old stems have gray bark with a mildly rough surface. Young stems have smooth bark that is gray-brown. These leaf colors add interest after the flowers fade.

Small cream-white flowers grow in groups at the stem tips. These broad, flat clusters can reach three inches across. Bloom runs from April to June, based on location. Chicago records May to June, while UConn lists June. Bees visit the flowers. Good fruit crops need a second plant with different genes. A plant grown from the same clone will not suffice. Small fruits called drupes look like berries. They turn blue-black from August to October. Some fruit stays on the shrub into winter. Birds and squirrels eat it. These birds include grouse and wild turkeys.

Part shade suits this shrub. It also copes with sun and deeper shade. It prefers moist, acidic soil that drains well. Loam suits it, but it also grows in clay and sand. Once settled in, plants cope with some drought and heat. They also cope with some compacted soil. Sources place it in USDA zones 4–8 or 3–8. Care needs are low. Prune just after bloom if you need to shape it. Remove root shoots to keep it within the chosen space. Leave them if you want a spreading group in woods.

Use mapleleaf viburnum in borders, hedges, or beds near buildings. It also suits woodland gardens and group plantings. Flowers, fruit, and fall leaves add interest across several seasons. It may host spring azure butterfly larvae. Sources list deer resistance, yet deer browse its leaves and twigs. Most sources report few serious pest or disease problems. UConn lists bacterial leaf spot and nematodes as possible problems. The supplied sources describe fruit as food for wildlife. They do not describe it as food for people. They do not establish whether humans can safely eat it. Nor do they establish whether it is toxic.