Viburnum rufidulum, often called southern black haw, rusty black haw, or rusty nannyberry, is a charming deciduous shrub or small tree that can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet. This delightful plant is native to the sunny regions of Virginia, Florida, Kansas, and Texas, where it typically thrives in rocky or dry woods, valleys, meadows, thickets, and along playful streams. Its leaves are a vibrant dark green with a glossy sheen and come in beautiful ovate to obovate shapes. You’ll notice the undersides of the leaves, buds, and young stems are covered in cozy rusty brown hairs.
In spring, you’ll be enchanted by the tiny white flowers that bloom in charming rounded clusters. Following the blossoms, clusters of sweet, dark blue berries emerge, ripening from September to October—perfect for attracting various birds who love to feast on the fruit. As fall approaches, the leaves transform into lovely shades of reddish-purple. Unlike its similar cousin (V. prunifolium), the southern black haw stands out with its glossy green leaves and distinctive brown hairs.
This beautiful plant thrives in average, dry to medium, well-drained loams and enjoys basking in full sun to part shade. You’ll find that it grows denser in full sunlight, but in the warmer areas of North Texas, it will gladly welcome a little light shade. To ensure lots of delicious fruit, it’s best to plant more than one, as they’re great at helping with pollination. Just a quick tip: don’t forget to remove any root suckers promptly to keep them in check, unless you’d prefer a natural spread.
BONAP MAP
Height: 10’-20′ Spread 10’-20’ Bloom: April-May Light: Full Sun-Part Shade Water: Low-Medium Zone: 5-9 Origin: Texas, Southern United States
