When does dockmackie bloom?

Dockmackie produces its small white flower clusters in May and June, followed by berries that ripen later in the season.

What pollinates Viburnum acerifolium?

The flowers attract bees, beetles, and flies, which visit the flat-topped clusters for pollen and nectar.

How much light and water does dockmackie need?

This shrub does best in part shade with medium moisture, though it tolerates deeper shade and drier soil once established, reflecting its understory habit.

How large does dockmackie get and what is its form?

It is a low, multi-stemmed shrub, typically growing a few feet tall, with maple-shaped leaves that give the species its common name mapleleaf viburnum.

Does dockmackie have fall interest?

Yes, the foliage often turns shades of pink, rose, or purple in autumn, adding color to shaded woodland gardens after the spring bloom period.

Is Dockmackie toxic to livestock?

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

Is Dockmackie HOA-friendly?

Dockmackie takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Dockmackie

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Viburnum acerifolium

Last reviewed: September 2026

Viburnum acerifolium, or dockmackie, is a low woodland shrub that blooms May through June with flat clusters of small white flowers. It grows well in part shade to shade in medium to dry soil, making it a good fit for shaded garden borders and understory plantings.

Toxicity unknown

Dockmackie (Viburnum acerifolium) 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 Dockmackie as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

36"–72" H × 36"–72" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 25 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, flies

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Dockmackie is a medium-sized native shrub with maple-like leaves that turn attractive red and purple colors in fall. It produces small white flower clusters in late spring followed by dark berries, thriving in partial shade conditions.

Growing Dockmackie

Grow Dockmackie in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 36 to 72 inches tall and spread 36 to 72 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Dockmackie takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Can appear somewhat wild and informal in growth habit
May spread by suckers creating irregular appearance
Less familiar to HOAs than common landscape shrubs

Wildlife value

The flowers attract various pollinators including bees, beetles, and flies in May and June. Birds feed on the dark berries produced in late summer.

Common questions

When does dockmackie bloom?: Dockmackie produces its small white flower clusters in May and June, followed by berries that ripen later in the season.
What pollinates Viburnum acerifolium?: The flowers attract bees, beetles, and flies, which visit the flat-topped clusters for pollen and nectar.
How much light and water does dockmackie need?: This shrub does best in part shade with medium moisture, though it tolerates deeper shade and drier soil once established, reflecting its understory habit.
How large does dockmackie get and what is its form?: It is a low, multi-stemmed shrub, typically growing a few feet tall, with maple-shaped leaves that give the species its common name mapleleaf viburnum.
Does dockmackie have fall interest?: Yes, the foliage often turns shades of pink, rose, or purple in autumn, adding color to shaded woodland gardens after the spring bloom period.
Is Dockmackie toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Dockmackie as toxic to livestock.
Is Dockmackie HOA-friendly?: Dockmackie takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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