Printed at http://www.quackingrassnursery.com/index.cfm/

 

Viburnum dentatum var. deamii

Southern Arrowwood

Plant Type:

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS

Viburnum dentatum var. deamii - ​This variety of Southern Arrowwood Viburnum exhibits several distinct features that when brought together make for a truly exceptional shrub. All green leaves exhibit a beautiful lacquer finish. Glossy leaves are also broader and rounder than on the typical species. A subtle feature is that the leaves sport broad, wavy undulations near margins. Autumn does not disappoint as the Deam Viburnum sports tones in a riotous mix of reds, purples and oranges. Tight buds like fruit are red-purple to purple - showy before the flowers unfold. Flowers are white flattened domes, approximately 2 to 4 inches in diameter and are held above the foliage. The late season fruits are profuse and also set above the leaves. The blue-black fruits are set on juicy red pedicels. Berries coupled with the confetti fall foliage makes for a rich autumn display. Berries are persistent through the winter. Regarding the berries as with Viburnum opulus it is as if the fruits require bletting before they become palatable to the birds. As with Viburnum opulus it is often the Cedar Waxwings and the Robins that pick them off come late winter / early spring. Drought tolerant. Deer resistant. All this manifests on a fine, ornamental with ever-worthy wildlife attributes. Full to mostly sunny exposure planted in fertile, draining soil. Established potted shrub from cutting.


Height:

6-8 ft

Spread:

6-8 ft

Colors:

White

Zone:

3 to 8
What is my hardiness zone?

Characteristics and Attributes for Viburnum dentatum var. deamii

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Spring

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer / Autumn

Autumn Interest

  • Fruit / Berries / Seed Heads
  • Autumn Leaf Color

Nature Attraction

  • Honey Bees & Native Bees
  • Butterflies
  • Deer Resistant
  • Songbirds

Light

  • Morning Sun / Afternoon Shade
  • Mostly Sunny

Attributes

  • Hedgerow
  • Natural Garden
  • Drought Tolerant
  • Specimen
  • Shrub Border
  • Hedge
  • Wildlife Garden

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Moderately Fast

Soil

  • Draining
  • Fertile

Origins

  • Ohio to Missouri

Propagated By

  • Cutting Grown

Genus Overview: Viburnum

Common Name: Viburnum

Viburnum. This genus is full of fantastic, multi-season garden worthy shrubs. Garden heroes. Spring flowers, often large and showy, many with heady sweet fragrance are arranged in cymes. Some smell of musk (Viburnum dilatatum) while others produce no fragrance at all. Flowers are followed with berries. If late season and autumn berries are desired then planting two of a species will ensure fruit set; for instance, Viburnum dilatatum 'Erie' and V. dilatatum 'Michael Dodge' will pollinate each other and produce fruit. Viburnum cassinoides is closely allied with V. nudum; but if the flowering times do not overlap then there will be no fruit. However, if you plant V. nudum 'Winterthur' in proximity with V. nudum var. angustifolium, 'Longwood', 'Moonshine' or 'Pink Beauty' berries will abound. Another interesting example is V. lantana which crosses with V. burejaeticum and vice versa. Any V. plicatum f. tomentosum selection such as 'Shasta' or 'Shoshoni' will pollinate with all other V. plicatum f. tomentosum selections like 'Copper Ridges or 'Pink Beauty'. But if you were to plant two 'Shasta' side by side with no other V. plicatum f. tomentosum in near proximity then your effort will be fruitless. As with almost all in the universe of plants there are exceptions. There is one viburnum which appears to be self-fruitful, Viburnum setigerum the Tea Viburnum. Another interesting exception to the rule is Viburnum nudum 'Pink Beauty' which is also self-fruitful - a departure from its siblings. And on the other spectrum are two I can think of off-hand that are barren, Viburnum plicatum 'Roseum' and Viburnum plicatum 'Kern's Pink'. Oftentimes, the dwarf viburnums reamin in a juvenile state and do not produce fruit. All Viburnum of any size that do produce fruit are magnificent in the late season garden. And they feed all manner of birds. Larger, denser shrubs provide cover and nesting opportunities. Nearly all Viburnum have terrific autumn foliage colors, too. Viburnums are members of Caprifoliaceae. All prefer part to full sun and fertile soils. All are cutting grown. Many thanks to Gary Ladman of Classic Viburnums who generously set us straight regarding some of the details we had originally incorrectly lauded... ya can't know everything!