Troubleshooting
Arrowwood Viburnum problems — and how to fix them
Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Viburnum leaf beetle
Arrowwood is a preferred host; larvae skeletonise leaves in spring. Inspect and prune off egg-bearing twig tips in late winter and treat young larvae if needed.
Powdery mildew
Whitish leaf coating in humid, shaded, crowded plantings. Improve spacing and air circulation and avoid wetting the foliage.
Aggressive suckering
Forms wide colonies via root suckers, which can outgrow tidy beds. Remove suckers annually or use it where a thicket is desired.
Poor fruit set when planted alone
Berry display is much heavier with a different arrowwood selection nearby for cross-pollination; a single clone fruits sparsely.
Prevent arrowwood viburnum problems before they start
Most arrowwood viburnum issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for arrowwood viburnum in general rather than its problems? Read the full arrowwood viburnum care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Arrowwood Viburnum problems — FAQ
Why is my arrowwood viburnum viburnum leaf beetle?
Arrowwood is a preferred host; larvae skeletonise leaves in spring. Inspect and prune off egg-bearing twig tips in late winter and treat young larvae if needed.
Why is my arrowwood viburnum powdery mildew?
Whitish leaf coating in humid, shaded, crowded plantings. Improve spacing and air circulation and avoid wetting the foliage.
Why is my arrowwood viburnum aggressive suckering?
Forms wide colonies via root suckers, which can outgrow tidy beds. Remove suckers annually or use it where a thicket is desired.
Why is my arrowwood viburnum poor fruit set when planted alone?
Berry display is much heavier with a different arrowwood selection nearby for cross-pollination; a single clone fruits sparsely.