Viburnum rufidulum

Rusty Blackhaw is one of our Southern woodland viburnums whose range is central and southeastern U.S. In NC it occurs mostly in piedmont and coastal plain counties. It is a deciduous, dense, showy, highly arching understory shrub or small tree. Mature height is about 18′, but can be taller if grown as a single-stemmed tree form. The oppositely-arranged leaves are very glossy and rounded with a finely serrated margin. The leaf undersides, petioles, young stems and buds are usually covered in rust-colored hairs, the source of the common name and the easiest way to distinguish it from Smooth Black Haw (V. prunifolium). In the spring the shrub is covered in 4-5-inch white-topped flower clusters at the end of the stems. Eventually the flowers turn into blue-black berries which are also quite attractive and are consumed by birds and small mammals. Meanwhile, the glossy fall floliage has turned various colors from bright yellow to bronze to scarlet. Out-crossing improves fruit set, so grow it and a companion in full sun to part shade with average to dry, well drained soil.