Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum Texas

Mature size 15 feet x 10 feet.

Rusty blackhaw viburnum texas. Published april 25 2014 by steve houser. Although it is generally an understory tree it is most attractive in the open in full sun. The latin species name meaning reddish also refers to the hairs. A small population of rusty blackhaws exists in the davis mountains of west texas far from the rest of its native range.

Flowers form in clusters in mid spring after the leaves start to unfold. This small tree lives its life in the shade of much larger majestic oaks sweetgums hickories and hackberries. All photos by bill seaman. Rusty blackhaw grows from east to central texas along streams or woodland edges and can be a small 30 foot tree or a 10 foot shrub depending on its environment.

Rusty black haw viburnum virburnum rufidulum easily grown in average dry to medium well drained loams and even in the soils of parker county. In the spring rusty blackhaws announce their presence with large clusters of small white flowers similar to elder. Rusty blackhaw is a highly esteemed slow growing and difficult to propagate species often used in deciduous understory and in wildscapes. Rusty blackhaw is distinguished from the more northerly blackhaw viburnum prunifolium primarily by the reddish brown hairs on foliage and other parts as well as by the slightly larger leaves and paler blue fruit.

Rusty blackhaw viburnum is a lovely little native that can be found growing all over the state from east to central texas mostly along streams and the edges of woodland area. Hidden among the woods of east texas one will find a true treasure the rusty blackhaw. Top rated ornamental trees rusty blackhaw viburnum rufidulum known for its glossy green foliage and clusters of spring flowers rusty blackhaw is an ornamental tree worthy of consideration by texas gardeners. Rusty blackhaw viburnum has clusters of white flowers in the spring blue black berries in the late summer into fall sometimes forms thickets but usually appears as single plants.

Creamy white flower clusters appear in spring. The two species intergrade where their ranges meet. The fruit attracts birds.