Viburnum rafinesquianum 'Louise's Sunbeam'

Also Known As

downy arrowwood

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 3'-5'
W: 3'-5'

planting zones

3b-9a

Viburnum rafinesquianum 'Louise's Sunbeam' plant details

Viburnum rafinesquianum 'Louise's Sunbeam' is a broadleaf deciduous shrub with chartreuse and green foliage. In spring white flowers emerge followed by black and blue fruit. Attracts bees, birds, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, alkaline, average and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Viburnum rafinesquianum 'Louise's Sunbeam'

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: adoxaceae, caprifoliaceae
Foliage: deciduous chartreuse and green
Mature size: 3 FT - 5 FT - wide, 3 FT - 5 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring
Uses: fall color

GROWING CONDITIONS for Viburnum rafinesquianum 'Louise's Sunbeam'

USDA Zones: 3b - 9a
Sun exposure: sun - shade
Watering frequency: regular - low

Soil needs: acidic, alkaline, average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

If Vincent van Gogh gardened, I think he'd favor yellow shrubs. They do so much to lighten dark garden nooks and improve my mood. This native shrub is a colorful variation on the typically green, native viburnum theme - use it in shady shrub borders and for naturalizing in woodlands. The yellow new growth comes on strong and shows off through spring. When the heat of June-July arrives, it settles down to dark green, same as the straight species, then turns a beautiful burgundy in autumn. To be honest, flowers are fragrant, but not in a good way - there's a stink when you dive your nose into a flower, so don't do that. Since this is Dirr's discovery, we're doing as he instructed in his Manual of Woody Landscape Plants and donating $1 of each plant sold will go to the Sweet Melissa Fund, supporting lung transplant patients at the University of North Carolina.