Downy Arrowwood
Viburnum rafinesqueanum
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Rob Swystun (www.flickr.com) from Winnipeg, Canada





Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Viburnaceae
- Genus:
- Viburnum
- Species:
- Viburnum rafinesqueanum
- USDA Symbol:
- VIRA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- red, purple
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire. Tolerates periodic fire in oak-hickory woodlands.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Prefers woodland settings with organic matter
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 150–270 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–730 days
- Notes:
- Double dormancy requires warm stratification followed by cold stratification. Germination may take two years.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI