Lawn Guardian

Viburnum Care Guide

Viburnum dentatum

shrubZones 3–8nativedeer resistant

Versatile native shrub with flat-topped white flower clusters in spring, blue-black berries in fall, and reddish-purple autumn color. Excellent wildlife plant.

At a glance

Season-by-season care

Spring

Prune after flowering After bloom

Shape and thin after bloom period. Remove oldest stems at ground level to renew the shrub.

Summer

Monitor for viburnum leaf beetle Late spring to early summer

Check leaves for skeletonized tissue and small larvae. This pest can completely defoliate viburnums.

Fall

Leave berries for birds Fall

Do not prune in fall. Berries provide essential food for fall-migrating and overwintering birds.

Ecological value

Berries are a top food source for migrating songbirds including bluebirds, robins, and cedar waxwings. Flowers attract native bees and beneficial insects.

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Related plants

Sources: Purdue University Turfgrass Science: Use Growing Degree Days to Better Time Your Applications · University of Missouri Extension: Cool-Season Grasses: Lawn Maintenance Calendar · University of Minnesota Extension: Pre-emergent Herbicides for Crabgrass Control in Lawns