Blue Muffin Viburnum
Viburnum dentatum 'Christom'
A compact native viburnum that delivers four seasons of beauty with spring's creamy white flower clusters, summer's glossy green foliage, and fall's brilliant red-orange color display. The metallic blue berries are a magnet for birds while the dense branching provides excellent structure for landscape borders. This adaptable shrub thrives in various conditions while supporting local wildlife.
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
2–8
USDA hardiness
Height
5-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Blue Muffin Viburnum in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 shrub →Zone Map
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Blue Muffin Viburnum · Zones 2–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruit is 1/4 inch blue-black drupes that are attractive to birds and wildlife. Displays from July to September
Color: Black, Blue. Type: Drupe. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Spring
Edibility: Edible fruit
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut, Deer, Fire
- +Attracts: Resistant to fire in the landscape. Heat, drought, and soil compaction tolerant.
- +Wildlife value: It is a potential host for the Spring Azure butterfly. Its fruits are eaten by songbirds, grouse, wild turkeys and squirrels. Its twigs and leaves are browsed by white-tailed deer.
- +Edible: Edible fruit
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Hosta
Shade-tolerant groundcover that complements viburnum's partial shade needs and provides contrasting foliage texture
Astilbe
Shares similar moisture requirements and blooms at different times, extending seasonal interest
Coral Bells
Low-growing perennial that provides colorful foliage contrast and doesn't compete for nutrients
Japanese Painted Fern
Thrives in similar light conditions and adds silvery foliage texture without root competition
Serviceberry
Native companion that attracts similar beneficial birds and pollinators, creates wildlife habitat layers
Wild Ginger
Natural woodland groundcover that helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds
Spicebush
Native shrub companion that supports beneficial insects and creates diverse wildlife habitat
Lungwort
Early spring bloomer that provides nectar when viburnum is dormant, tolerates same growing conditions
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that can inhibit viburnum growth and cause leaf yellowing
Eucalyptus
Allelopathic compounds in leaves and roots can suppress viburnum growth and establishment
Tree of Heaven
Aggressive root system and allelopathic chemicals inhibit growth of native shrubs like viburnum
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Excellent disease resistance, very hardy
Common Pests
Viburnum leaf beetle (regional), scale insects
Diseases
Powdery mildew (rare), leaf spot (minimal)