woodland shrub
Rusty Blackhaw
Viburnum rufidulum
1 of 2Native to the Southeast and the Midwest
Virginia to southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois and Missouri, southern, except in mountains, to Florida and Texas
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones 6–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Mar–Apr Flowering time
- Height up to 30 ft to 9.1 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland shrub for partial shade and lean, dry soil. Its white flowers peak in April. At up to 30 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 6–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Rusty Blackhaw's white flowers bloom March to April, peaking in April. This early-spring ephemeral draws butterflies.
Rusty Blackhaw blooms whiteFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies Red Admiral
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Summer azurecaterpillar host
- Red admiralnectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Southeast and the MidwestUnited States (17): AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Virginia to southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois and Missouri, southern, except in mountains, to Florida and TexasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Dry soils. Limestone-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, ClayThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Water use
- LowHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 30 ft (to 9.1 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- ShrubWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Mar–AprWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Apr–DecThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.