Downy Arrow-Wood
Viburnum rafinesqueanum
Last reviewed: September 2026
Downy Arrow-wood is a deciduous shrub that blooms in May and June, producing small white flower clusters favored by bees, beetles, and flies. It thrives in part sun with medium moisture, often found along woodland edges and rocky slopes.
Toxicity unknown
Downy Arrow-Wood (Viburnum rafinesqueanum) 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 Downy Arrow-Wood as toxic to livestock.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
72"–120" H × 48"–96" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 26 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles, flies
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.
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Downy Arrowwood is a medium-sized native shrub that produces clusters of small white flowers in late spring and early summer. It develops attractive blue-black berries in fall and offers good autumn color, making it a versatile landscape plant.
Growing Downy Arrow-Wood
Grow Downy Arrow-Wood in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 72 to 120 inches tall and spread 48 to 96 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Downy Arrow-Wood is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The flowers attract various pollinators including bees, beetles, and flies. The berries provide important food for songbirds and other wildlife.
Common questions
- When does Viburnum rafinesqueanum bloom?
- This shrub typically flowers in May and June, forming flat clusters of small white blooms.
- What pollinators visit Downy Arrow-wood flowers?
- Bees, beetles, and flies are common visitors, drawn to the flowers for pollen and nectar.
- What growing conditions suit Downy Arrow-wood best?
- It does well in part sun with medium soil moisture, and can also handle drier soils or shadier spots, such as those found in mixed forest understories or along rocky slopes.
- Is Downy Arrow-Wood toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Downy Arrow-Wood as toxic to livestock.
- Is Downy Arrow-Wood HOA-friendly?
- Downy Arrow-Wood 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 the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Downy Arrow-Wood? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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