Rusty blackhaw is a deciduous multi-stemmed shrub or small single-stemmed treein the Viburnaceae (haw) family. It is native to eastern and central USA and is found in most areas of NC growing in rocky or dry woodlands and forests, along streams and valleys. The name comes from the rusty brown hairs on the undersides of leaves, buds and stems. Rusty blackhaw grows in dry to moist loams in full sun to partial shade slowly reaching a height and width of 10 to 20 feet. Clusters of small, white flowers mature in early spring followed by a blue drupe that matures in fall. The leaves have excellent fall color. More than one shrub is needed for good fruit production. This low maintenance plant is resistant to browsing by deer and is drought tolerant once established. Use this native plant as a hedge, in shrub borders and naturalized areas. This plant provides nectar to pollinators, fruit for birds, and small animals making it an excellent choice for a pollinator or wildlife garden. Its low flammability rating makes it a good choice to plant in the defensible space around a home. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems : No serious insect or disease problems. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases. More information on Viburnum .
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); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Oval
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Obovate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The 4" long oval, glossy, leathery leaves are dark green. The leaf undersides have rusty brown hairs as do the stems. Margins are finely serrated, tip rounded or with a broad point, base rounded. Excellent fall colors of reds, purples and oranges.
Fall color
Orange; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Cream/Tan; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Flowers appear from March to April in 5 inch wide rounded cymes of tiny flowers. Individual flowers are 1/4 inch across with long stamens.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Blue
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
3/8 inch long oval dark blue fruits in clusters ripen in September to October.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray
Bark detail
The bark is gray/brown with a fine blocky pattern.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Twigs reddish brown with a thin light gray coating. Stems have rusty brown hairs
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southern U.S.A., Mexico
Distribution
AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MO , MS , NC , OH , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA
Wildlife value
It is a host plant for the spring/summer Azure butterflies. Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, squirrels, and chipmunks. It is moderately deer resistant.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds