How to Plant and Maintain Arrowwood Viburnum in Containers

The dwarf Blue Muffin® variety of the Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) shrub grows without difficulty in large and well-drained containers. It adapts easily to different environmental conditions and does not require much care. It is a leafy shrub with bright, intensely green leaves. In the spring time, Blue Muffin® produces beautiful white flowers in inflorescences, and in the summer, it becomes loaded with oval drop-shaped berries of an attractive deep blue color. During the fall, its leaves turn orange, an intense red, or purple. The berries are largely attractive to many birds and other wild animals, who not only benefit from consuming them, but also help the shrub disperse its seeds great distances.

The Blue Muffin® variety of this shrub grows to a height of somewhere between 3 and 10 feet (1 to 3 meters), and, due to its lush foliage and thin arching branches, it can extend itself fairly well to the sides, resulting in a width that is almost equal to the height of the plant. For this reason, you should make sure to place this shrub somewhere spacious, where it may also grow sideways. If you are able to have more than one shrub, place them relatively close to facilitate pollination. This shrub grows well in common soil or soil that is a bit acidic, and does not require much water.

Instructions:

  • Plant in a large container with good drainage. The container should receive direct sunlight at least part of the day.
  • You can use common soil to plant in containers; if you combine common soil with one third acidic soil for plants that prefer acidity, all the better.
  • This shrub does not require much water; water it when the soil on the surface appears dry.
  • Every once in a while, trim the branches so that the plant can revitalize with new foliage. You can give it the shape you want!
  • In containers, the plants have few nutrients; placing fertilizer or organic soil in the container will help your shrub look healthier and give better quality fruits.

 

If you wish to know more about Arrowwood Viburnum of North America, visit this page by the USDA.