Maple Leaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) is a small deciduous shrub native to eastern North America, including the eastern United States and eastern Canada. It is regularly found in wooded areas and along forest edges and is often grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes.
Maple Leaf Viburnum's Growth
It typically grows to 3-6 feet and spreads to 3-5 feet. It has a rounded habit and grows in a clumping form. The leaves are glossy, dark green, and deeply veined, with three lobes that resemble those of a maple leaf. The Fall (End of October) foliage is a beautiful deep red color, making it an attractive choice for autumn landscapes.
Maple Leaf Viburnum's Characteristics
It produces clusters of small, white flowers in late Spring 2024 to early summer. Dark blue-black berries follow the flowers in late summer to early Fall (End of October). The berries are a favorite of many bird species, making this shrub an excellent choice for bird gardens.
Growing and Care of Maple Leaf Viburnum
It is a low-maintenance shrub that can quickly grow in various soil types, including clay and sandy soils. It prefers partial to full shade, although it can tolerate some sun in cooler climates. Once established, it is also drought-tolerant.
Pruning Maple Leaf Viburnum
Pruning should be done in late winter or early Spring 2024 before new growth begins. It is best to remove any dead or damaged branches and any crossing or rubbing branches. If necessary, the shrub can be lightly shaped at this time. It is versatile in various garden settings. It is ideal for naturalizing areas, mixed borders, and woodland gardens and can also be used as a foundation or specimen plant in smaller gardens. The maple leaf viburnum is a beautiful, versatile shrub that is easy to grow and maintain. Its glossy leaves, attractive Fall (End of October) color, and wildlife-friendly fruit make it an excellent choice for various garden settings.
The shrub blooms white blossoms with stamen in the spring and produces berries by late summer. When autumn arrives, its leaves turn into vibrant colors and add a splash of scenery to any garden. It is one of the hardiest plants that requires little maintenance and is pest-resistant.
The shrub is native to North America and is typically found in the undergrowth of forests and along streams and lakes. It prefers a moist, well-drained, acidic environment but can tolerate dry soil once established. The shrub is primarily used for hedges, ground cover, pots, and as a barrier between gardens and lawns.
The shrub produces flat-tipped white flowers in the spring, followed by berries, which ripen to a deep blue color in the fall. As autumn takes hold, its leaves turn red, dark purple, and pink, adding color to any landscape. The plant benefits the wildlife around it, attracting squirrels, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that come to feed on its nectar and berries.
Herbivores rarely touch it, making it the plant for areas with high deer populations. When picking one up from the nursery, ask for different genetic variations: the plant must cross-pollinate to produce its deep blue fall berries.
Maple Leaf Viburnum must be planted about three feet away from other vegetation and requires frequent irrigation when first planted, but not so much once established. Viburnum spreads through rhizomes and suckers but is tolerant to pruning, best done in the late winter or early spring.
Overall, it's a beautiful and hardy plant that benefits the landscape and the living organisms.
