Plant Encyclopedia

Other Names:  Arrowwood

Description:

A striking garden shrub with showy flat-topped clusters of creamy white flowers in spring followed by masses of bluish-black berries; lustrous leaves turn a good fall color, rugged and adaptable, ideal for the garden or as a natural hedge

Ornamental Features

Chicago Lustre Viburnum is covered in stunning creamy white flat-top flowers at the ends of the branches in late spring. The royal blue fruits are held in abundance in spectacular clusters from early to late fall. It has forest green deciduous foliage. The serrated oval leaves turn an outstanding deep purple in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Chicago Lustre Viburnum is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Chicago Lustre Viburnum is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Chicago Lustre Viburnum will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species.