Smooth Blackhaw, native to much of mid-latitude Eastern and central U.S., is a large deciduous shrub or small tree which usually grows to around 15 feet tall and wide, but if grown as a single-stemmed tree form, it can reach up to 30 feet. It thrives in full sun to part shade and dry-to-mesic soils. Unless pruned to a single-stemmed tree-like form, Smooth Blackhaw will typically have several sturdy stems with many smaller branches, leading to an irregular or rounded tree-like crown. Smooth Blackhaw has a very showy floral display in spring. In peak bloom, it is covered in 4-inch flat-topped cymes arising at the end of each of the many stems. These flower clusters turn into clusters of dark blue-black, edible (technically), berry-like drupes which support a variety of bird species and look handsome against the shiny reds and purples of the fall foliage.
Viburnum prunifoliumSmooth Blackhaw, Blackhaw Viburnum, Plum Leaf Viburnum, Stagberry

Photo by Cure Nursery
Last Updated: June 10, 2019