When does black haw viburnum bloom?

Black haw viburnum produces flat clusters of small white flowers from April through June, with the exact timing shifting a few weeks based on local spring weather.

What insects pollinate black haw viburnum?

Bees, butterflies, and beetles visit the spring flower clusters for nectar and pollen and carry out most of the pollination.

How much sun does black haw viburnum need?

It grows best with part sun but adapts from full sun to part shade, which is why it is often found along woodland edges, fence rows, and old field margins.

How much water does black haw viburnum need?

It prefers medium soil moisture but handles drier conditions once established, so it can thrive on rocky slopes and upland sites as well as richer bottomland soils.

What is the growth habit of black haw viburnum?

It grows as a large, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub, often forming thickets, and can be pruned into a small single-trunk tree form over time.

Is Black Haw toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Black Haw as toxic to livestock.

Is Black Haw HOA-friendly?

Black Haw is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Black Haw

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Viburnum prunifolium

Last reviewed: September 2026

Black haw viburnum is a deciduous shrub that bears clusters of small white flowers from April through June and tolerates part sun and medium to drier soils. It suits woodland edges, fence rows, and upland thickets across much of the eastern and central United States.

Toxicity unknown

Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Black Haw as toxic to livestock.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

120"–360" H × 120"–240" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 23 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Black haw is a native viburnum that forms a large, rounded shrub or small tree with white spring flower clusters followed by dark blue berries. The glossy green leaves turn attractive shades of red and purple in fall, making it a four-season landscape plant.

Growing Black Haw

Grow Black Haw in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 120 to 360 inches tall and spread 120 to 240 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Black Haw is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

Large mature size requires adequate space
May need occasional pruning to maintain shape

Wildlife value

Host plant for Spring Azure, Cherry Sphinx Moth.

The spring blooms attract bees, butterflies, and beetles, while the fall berries provide food for birds. This plant supports over 100 species of butterflies and moths as a host plant.

Common questions

When does black haw viburnum bloom?: Black haw viburnum produces flat clusters of small white flowers from April through June, with the exact timing shifting a few weeks based on local spring weather.
What insects pollinate black haw viburnum?: Bees, butterflies, and beetles visit the spring flower clusters for nectar and pollen and carry out most of the pollination.
How much sun does black haw viburnum need?: It grows best with part sun but adapts from full sun to part shade, which is why it is often found along woodland edges, fence rows, and old field margins.
How much water does black haw viburnum need?: It prefers medium soil moisture but handles drier conditions once established, so it can thrive on rocky slopes and upland sites as well as richer bottomland soils.
What is the growth habit of black haw viburnum?: It grows as a large, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub, often forming thickets, and can be pruned into a small single-trunk tree form over time.
Is Black Haw toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Black Haw as toxic to livestock.
Is Black Haw HOA-friendly?: Black Haw is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Black Haw? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz