Arrowwood viburnum (viburnum dentatum)

This large bushy shrub, with a globular and wide habit, can reach 2.5 m in height and 3 m in width under our conditions. Upright branches become arched with age. The gray, glabrous stems when mature bear gray leaf buds with scales at the ciliate margin. The leaves, simple, opposite, or obovate in shape, measure 5 to 9 cm long and 3 to 7 cm wide. The margin is coarsely toothed and the tip slightly acuminate. The glabrous, dark green, glossy leaves turn purple in fall or yellow depending on the sunlight received during the summer season. The petiole measures less than 2 cm. The small pure white flowers, gathered in flat corymbs, appear in May and are borne on a long peduncle. The yellow stamens change the visual appearance of the flowers and give a cream appearance. The flowering period is approximately 4 days. The fruits, small blue berries, turn black when ripe, around October, and fall quickly.
The root system is fibrous and developed.

This species is found in two distinctive locations in southern Ontario; in deciduous forests and between Ottawa and the St. Lawrence River. Ornamental, this species is interesting for its flowers and fruits or for naturalizing wild spaces. It combines with other plants or is used alone.
The fruits attract birds.