Blackhaw Viburnum

This viburnum is the only one native to Kansas, and as such, it is very adapted to our conditions. The Blackhaw viburnum or Viburnum rufidulum has many names, including Rusty Blackhaw, Southern Blackhaw, Nannyberry, and Southern Nannyberry. This viburnum is adaptable and can be a 10-foot-tall multi-stemmed shrub or a 30-foot-tall single-stemmed tree, depending on the location and how much pruning you do. They will also tolerate full sun to partial shade. It has lustrous, glossy green leaves that will turn pink to mauve to dark purple in autumn. There are beautiful clusters of white flowers in the spring that will turn into attractive blue fruit in the fall. This plant will tolerate moist soils up to dry outcroppings of soil. Use this as a hedge, shrub border, or in naturalized plantings. It provides nectar for pollinators and fruit for birds or small animals so that it would work well in a pollinator or wildlife garden.

Have questions? Contact our office where our Horticulture Extension Agent will assist you with questions.

Phone: (316) 321-9660

Email: callae@ksu.edu