Mapleleaf Viburnum

Mapleleaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) is a versatile, suckering deciduous shrub native to the eastern woodlands of North America. Typically growing 3 to 6 feet tall, it is easily identified by its distinctive three-lobed leaves that strongly resemble those of a red maple. In late spring, the shrub produces flat-topped clusters of creamy white flowers, which eventually give way to pea-sized berries that transition from red to a deep blue-black by late summer. One of its most striking features is its autumn transformation; the foliage turns from medium green to an extraordinary palette of soft pink, lavender, and brilliant magenta-purple, often lighting up the dark understory of a forest.

In the landscape, Mapleleaf Viburnum is a “problem-solver” plant due to its exceptional shade tolerance. Unlike many viburnums, it thrives in dry, deep shade and poor, rocky soils, making it an ideal choice for naturalizing under large canopy trees or along woodland edges. Its suckering habit allows it to form loose colonies, which provides excellent erosion control on slopes and creates dense “escape cover” for songbirds and small mammals. Ecologically, it is a powerhouse: its spring blooms attract various native bees and butterflies, it serves as a larval host for the Spring Azure butterfly, and its nutrient-rich berries are a critical food source for migrating birds.