Riverwoods Village Hall
300 Portwine Rd.
Riverwoods, IL 60015
Office Hours: M-F, 8:30am - 1:30pm
Phone: 847-945-3990
Fax: 847-945-4059
Native Plant Spotlight | Viburnum
Viburnum shrubs are versatile, come in many varieties and often produce flowers and fruit .
Maple-Leaved Viburnum
Native to Riverwoods, Maple-Leaved Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) is a woody deciduous shrub that branches occasionally. Caterpillars feed on its leaves that turn from green in the summer to different colors in the fall including pink, magenta, red or orange.
- Ornamental Value: produces flat topped clusters of white flowers in late spring to mid-summer that last around 3 weeks replaced by blue-black berries that the Ruffed Grouse and many woodland songbirds like to eat.
- Growing Conditions: prefers partial sun to light shade areas with moist but well drained soil.
- Mature Size: 2 to 8 feet tall.
Southern Arrow-Wood Viburnum
Southern Arrow-Wood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is similar to Maple-Leaved Viburnum but larger with multiple wood shoots from the base that branch upward and outward. As suggested by the name, arrows were once made from the straight stems.
- Ornamental Value: produces broad white flower clusters in late spring to early summer that turn to blue-black berries that birds love. It can be found in woodland borders and stream banks, but is often cultivated and used as an ornamental landscape shrub.
- Growing Conditions: prefers full or partial sun areas with moderately moist conditions and rocky or sandy soil.
- Mature Size: 5 to 15 feet tall.
Highbush Cranberry Viburnum, also called American Cranberry Bush
A third type of Viburnum native to Riverwoods, Highbush Cranberry Viburnum (Viburnum trilobum), is a shrub with many narrow trunks and slightly spreading branches. The deciduous leaves turn bright red in the autumn.
- Ornamental Value: produces flat topped clusters of white flowers with an unpleasant scent in late spring to early summer for around 3 to 4 weeks replaced by a bright red tart fruit that is eaten by Ruffed Grouse and other birds. It can be found in cool moist woodlands and is occasionally used as an ornamental landscape plant.
- Growing Conditions: prefers full sun to light shade with wet to moist conditions.
- Mature Size: 8 to 12 feet tall.
Native Tree & Shrub Planting Cost-Share Program
To help restore the ecological health of our woodlands, residents are encouraged to plant native trees, shrubs, flowers and other plant species. You might qualify for a Native Tree & Shrub Planting cost-share program, with the Village covering half of the cost of the plants and the planting.
Your property may qualify for one or more of the Village's Cost-Share programs, which can not only help restore the ecological health of Riverwoods, but can also improve your property's ornamental landscape and real estate value. To see which cost-share programs your property qualifies for, request an Ecological Consultation with the Village Ecologist.
