Viburnum rufidulum aka Blue Haw

Viburnum rufidulum, commonly known as the rusty blackhaw, blue haw, rusty nanny-berry, or southern black haw, is a flowering shrub or small tree that is native to the southeastern North America region, from the Southern United States to Mexico. It is a hardy plant that thrives in well-drained, upland woods, producing attractive flowers, fall foliage, and fruits that are popular with some bird species. The plant can grow up to 25 feet in height with an equal spread, forming a multiple or single-trunked small tree or large shrub. The tree has a pleasing, vase-shaped crown, with dark bark that resembles older Flowering Dogwood bark and leaves that are dark green, leathery, and glossy. The leaves are simple, deciduous, and grow in opposite blades that range from 0.5-3 inches in length and 1-1.5 inches in width. Petioles are "rusty hairy" with grooves and sometimes wings, and leaf margins are serrate. In fall, the plant puts on a brilliant display of scarlet red to purple foliage. The plant blooms in April to May with creamy white flowers that are bisexual, or perfect and similar to those of other Viburnum species, but with clusters as large as six inches wide. These flowers are followed by clusters of dark blue, waxy, one-half-inch-long fruits that are extremely popular with wildlife and will occasionally persist on the plant from September throughout the autumn, if not eaten by wildlife. The edible fruit has been said to taste like raisins and attract birds. Rusty Blackhaw is similar to Viburnum prunifolium (blackhaw), but petioles of V. prunifolium do not have the rusty hairs that those of V. rufidulum do. While Rusty Blackhaw is commonly found growing in the wild, it can also be grown indoors as a houseplant. It is a super rare houseplant that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. The plant does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. Rusty Blackhaw likes soil that is well-draining and should be repotted each time it doubles in size. The plant belongs to the Viburnum genus and is a beautiful addition to any garden or indoor space.