Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium)
Blackhaw Viburnum flowers attract a variety of small native bees, butterflies, skippers, and hummingbird moths (illinoiswildflower.info). It is a host plant to the Hummingbird Clearwing, Cecropia, Spring Azure, and 99 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org), including the threatened Henry's Elfin (butterfliesandmoths.org) (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). Birds love the Viburnum berries and they are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse and many woodland songbirds and small mammals (Bird Table). Keep in mind that in order to get reliable fruit, this plant needs to be cross-pollinated with another viburnum plant.
Photo credit: US Fish and Wildlife Service (1), John Blair (2-3)
Blackhaw Viburnum flowers attract a variety of small native bees, butterflies, skippers, and hummingbird moths (illinoiswildflower.info). It is a host plant to the Hummingbird Clearwing, Cecropia, Spring Azure, and 99 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org), including the threatened Henry's Elfin (butterfliesandmoths.org) (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). Birds love the Viburnum berries and they are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse and many woodland songbirds and small mammals (Bird Table). Keep in mind that in order to get reliable fruit, this plant needs to be cross-pollinated with another viburnum plant.
Photo credit: US Fish and Wildlife Service (1), John Blair (2-3)
Blackhaw Viburnum flowers attract a variety of small native bees, butterflies, skippers, and hummingbird moths (illinoiswildflower.info). It is a host plant to the Hummingbird Clearwing, Cecropia, Spring Azure, and 99 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org), including the threatened Henry's Elfin (butterfliesandmoths.org) (mnfi.anr.msu.edu). Birds love the Viburnum berries and they are eaten by the Ruffed Grouse and many woodland songbirds and small mammals (Bird Table). Keep in mind that in order to get reliable fruit, this plant needs to be cross-pollinated with another viburnum plant.
Photo credit: US Fish and Wildlife Service (1), John Blair (2-3)
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Partial, Light Shade
Soil Moisture: Medium-Wet, Medium, Medium-Dry
Height: up to 15 feet
Plant Spacing: 5-10 feet
Bloom Time: April-June
Bloom Color: White
Advantages: Caterpillar Favorite, Pollinator Favorite, Bird Favorite, Great Landscaping Plant
Host: Hummingbird Clearwing, Cecropia, Spring Azure, and 99 other species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant in our area (nwf.org) and possibly Henry’s Elfin (butterfliesandmoths.org)
Beneficial for Endangered or Threatened Species: Henry's Elfin (Incisalia henrici) (mnfi.anr.msu.edu)
