'Summer Magic' is a cultivar of the black haw, a deciduous shrub in the Viburnaceae (viburnum) family. It was introduced by Willoway Nursery of Ohio. This self-fertile cultivar has a more compact, rounded form than others varieties. Its beautiful fall colors include red and yellow. In comparison to other varieties, it has a sparse fruit production, however the fruits are edible, both raw or cooked. Pruning should be accomplished after flowering, keeping in mind that next season's blossoms will appear on old growth. It can be grown as a large, multi-stemmed shrub or a small tree. Differing from other varieties of viburnum, 'Summer Magic' does not have the same horizontal fish-bone branching, therefore produces a more compact form. Its new leaves are red, then become pink, before maturing to a purplish-green. For a more brilliant fall display, locate this plant in full sun. It has some resistance to mildew. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues, scale and borers are occasional problems. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases. More information on Viburnum prunifolium .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The foliage will provide interest to your garden in the spring when they first open red, turn pink, and mature to green, while the fall colors of yellow and burgundy finish the year with a stunning display.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Showy, tiny white flowers open in the spring into summer in the form of a cyme.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Black; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Sparse red fruits will mature to black. They can be eaten both raw or cooked.
Stem detail
Multi-stemmed
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Northeastern US
Wildlife value
The fruits are eaten by birds, the flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators.