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Viburnum dentatum

Arrow-wood · Arrow-wood Viburnum · Southern Arrow-wood · Southern Arrowwood

Family ViburnaceaeGenus Viburnum

A pair of young leaves flushed bronze-pink over green, their deep parallel veins pleating the surface, at the tip of a red stem.
LeafR. A. NonenmacherCC BY-SA 4.0

About the plant

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

The plant

Habit
ShrubExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
treePlants of the World Online
Height
5-10 ft1.5-3 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
6-10 ft1.8-3 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Native to the lower 48 statesPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
2-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow RockyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

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 of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS.

Worth knowing

  • Native Americans used the young stems of arrowwood to make arrow shafts. Its leaves turn yellow to red in late autumn. Wikipedia: Viburnum dentatum

This source reports three treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around April 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on April 16, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    1 germinated in this phase.

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    3 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 5 run on after germination.

about 9 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5, in 84 days.

48% germination in 21–84 days.

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. dentatum germ. 70-40-70(1%)-40(48% in 3-12 w)-70(3%), less in 40(12%)- 70(3%)-40(9%), and none (all rotted) in outdoor treatment. Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 40(3/8 in 2-7 w) and all rotted when started at 70. The seedlings were kept at 40 for 2 m after radicle development was complete after which the cotyledons developed normally on shifting to 70. Seed DS 6 m at 70 was dead.
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 Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around August 20, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on August 19, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 49 days.

38% germination in 14–49 days.

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. dentatum germ. 70-40-70(1%)-40(48% in 3-12 w)-70(3%), less in 40(12%)- 70(3%)-40(9%), and none (all rotted) in outdoor treatment. Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 40(3/8 in 2-7 w) and all rotted when started at 70. The seedlings were kept at 40 for 2 m after radicle development was complete after which the cotyledons developed normally on shifting to 70. Seed DS 6 m at 70 was dead.
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 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    3 germinated in this phase.

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    9 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 2; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

12% 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. dentatum germ. 70-40-70(1%)-40(48% in 3-12 w)-70(3%), less in 40(12%)- 70(3%)-40(9%), and none (all rotted) in outdoor treatment. Seed DS 6 m at 40 germ. 40(3/8 in 2-7 w) and all rotted when started at 70. The seedlings were kept at 40 for 2 m after radicle development was complete after which the cotyledons developed normally on shifting to 70. Seed DS 6 m at 70 was dead.
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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