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Viburnum acerifolium

Arrow-wood · Dockmackie · Mapleleaf Viburnum

Family ViburnaceaeGenus Viburnum

Flat clusters of tiny cream flowers scattered across a shrub of broad three-lobed maple-like leaves in woodland shade.
FlowerJomegatCC BY-SA 3.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
ShrubExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Height
4-6 ft1.2-1.8 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
2-6 ft0.6-1.8 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Cream/Tan, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Canada, lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
4-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Dappled Sunlight; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow RockyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Watering
Drought tolerance: HighPLANTS Database

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS.

Worth knowing

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around June 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 18, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    1/13 germinated in this phase.

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    1/13 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 4 run on after germination.

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

31% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Viburnum p. 228Public domain
Show the original text
Viburnum (Caprlfollaceae). Viburnums divide into two groups. The first group germ. in a 40-70 pattern. The cotyledons develop within a week or two after germination. This group is adapted to germination in spring and immediate leaf development and growth. The second group germ. in a 40-70-40 pattern with extension into a 40-70-40-70-40 pattern. Germination takes place in a cycle at 40. The seedlings must be kept at 40 for two to three months after radicle development is complete in order for the cotyledons to develop properly on shifting to 70. Puncturing. the seed coat had no effect in three species. All seed was WC for 1-2 w. Germination was stimulated by GA-3 in V. acerifolium germ. 70-40(1/13)-70-40(4/13)-70(1/13) and 40-70-40(2/21)-70- 40(5/21) using fresh seed collected in October. Seed DS 6 m at 70 or 40 gave lower and more extended germination.. The cotyledons failed to develop on the shift to 70, but this was before it was recognized that the 3-4 m at 40 was needed.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Viburnum p. 228. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 21, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 20, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    2/21 germinated in this phase.

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 12 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

24% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Viburnum p. 228Public domain
Show the original text
Viburnum (Caprlfollaceae). Viburnums divide into two groups. The first group germ. in a 40-70 pattern. The cotyledons develop within a week or two after germination. This group is adapted to germination in spring and immediate leaf development and growth. The second group germ. in a 40-70-40 pattern with extension into a 40-70-40-70-40 pattern. Germination takes place in a cycle at 40. The seedlings must be kept at 40 for two to three months after radicle development is complete in order for the cotyledons to develop properly on shifting to 70. Puncturing. the seed coat had no effect in three species. All seed was WC for 1-2 w. Germination was stimulated by GA-3 in V. acerifolium germ. 70-40(1/13)-70-40(4/13)-70(1/13) and 40-70-40(2/21)-70- 40(5/21) using fresh seed collected in October. Seed DS 6 m at 70 or 40 gave lower and more extended germination.. The cotyledons failed to develop on the shift to 70, but this was before it was recognized that the 3-4 m at 40 was needed.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Viburnum p. 228. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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