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Blackhaw viburnum
Habit (mature) · Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Limited coverage
Blackhaw viburnum
Viburnum prunifolium
A native eastern North American multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small tree with white spring flower clusters, edible dark-blue drupes, and red-purple fall foliage. Among the most adaptable native viburnums; tolerates a wide range of soil + light conditions.
Native: 28 US states
Review: Source-backed
Climate fit: broad (90/100)
Structure
Pollinator
Border
Light
Full sun / Part shade
Water
Moderate water
Mature size
144-360" tall · 96" apart
Hardy in zones
3a-9b
brutally cold to frosty winters
Summer heat range
Cool-Hot
cool to hot summers Interim Plotwright tier until the plant AHS range is authored.
Native in Illinois
Yes
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Frost cloth, plant covers, bulb/tuber storage supplies, burlap, and cold frames.
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Acid-soil care
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Soil testing and pH
pH meters, soil test kits, lab mailers, and amendment calculators.
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Wildlife protection
Bird netting, deer fencing, rabbit guards, trunk guards, and crop covers.
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Transplanting and establishment
Trowels, transplant spades, starter fertilizer, root stimulators, and watering bags.
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Drainage and aeration
Perlite, pumice, raised-bed mix, aerators, and drainage-focused containers.
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A documented larval host for the Hummingbird clearwing moth and 1 other species — caterpillars feed on its foliage before becoming the next generation.
Wildlife relationships
Cold hardiness
Now
Zone 6b
USDA
Chicago, IL · 1991-2020 average annual coldest day
Source: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 (1991-2020 climatology) via ArcGIS FeatureServer
Well-suited
2050
Zone 7b
Plotwright
Your zone + climate-model shift · SSP3-7.0 (regional rivalry)
Well-suited
In plain terms: cold winters — coldest nights typically around -3°F.
Well-suited today and still thriving in 2050.
Heat tolerance
Loading current AHS heat-zone and plant heat-fit data at your coordinates…
Sources & citations
Cite this page
For lesson plans, articles, or research that uses this page. To cite a single upstream fact instead, use its specific source listed below.
Plotwright. (2026, May 17). Blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium). Retrieved 2026, June 5, from https://plotwright.garden/plants/blackhaw-viburnum
Sources for every fact
Every fact on this page traces to a source. 18 fields cited18 source-backed.
NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
University extension service
Backs 17 fields
Identity
Summary
Plant type
Light
Moisture
Hardiness
Heat zone
Size
Spacing
Habit
Design roles
Seasonal interest
Growth stages
Lifecycle
Regional guidance
Success tips
Designer notes
Wikimedia Commons
Photo · CC BY-SA 4.0
Backs 1 field
Image
Community photos
The photos above are our reviewed reference set, curated for accuracy.
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