Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The Blackhaw Viburnum or Viburnum prunifolium adds a range of color and visual interest to a yard. The darling 5-petaled, star-shaped flowers are a creamy white. The individual blooms are tiny but bloom in clusters that measure up to 5 inches wide, creating an impressive visual display. Enjoy the fragrant blooms in mid-May. Bluish-black berries emerge by fall. The ovate leaves start green and settle into a red-purple hue in the fall.
The Blackhaw Viburnum is lovely to look at but also plays an important role for wildlife. The flowers are a food source for pollinators like butterflies, while birds and other wildlife eat the berries. Birds also use the branches as nesting sites and cover. This shrub has a branched, upright growth habit and can appear as a small tree when mature. Feature the Blackhaw Viburnum in a mixed bed where it will add height, or create a stunning border along a fence or property line. The Blackhaw Viburnum is native to North America and grows in zones 3 through 9.
Blackhaw Viburnum Care
This shrub grows well in dry conditions, making it an excellent option for busy gardeners or those living in areas with water restrictions. Give the Blackhaw Viburnum a spot with full sun, although it can handle partial sun. Average garden soil that promotes drainage is best because viburnum does not like wet feet. Established plants are drought tolerant, but water during a dry spell to keep the plant lush and healthy.
Prune to shape and promote a dense, well-branched structure after the flowers fade. Grow Blackhaw as a multistemmed shrub, or remove the lower stems to create a single-trunk, tree-like form.
Blackhaw Viburnum Spacing
Blackhaw Viburnum reaches 12 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 12 feet wide. Plant shrubs 8 to 10 feet apart to create a hedge or continuous planting.
Blackhaw Viburnum Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 12-15 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 6-10+ Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- White
- Bloom Time
- Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Blackhaw Viburnum
- Also Known As
- Nannyberry, Plum Leaf Viburnum
- Botanical Name
- Viburnum prunifolium
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!