Share

Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    

Viburnum lantanoides (Hobblebush)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Viburnum lantanoides Michx.

Hobblebush

Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)

Synonyms: Viburnum alnifolium

USDA Symbol: VILA11

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A 6-12 ft., open, straggling shrub, often with pendulous outer branches which root where they touch the ground. Flat-topped clusters of white flowers have a lacy effect similar to some hydrangeas and contrast well with the medium green foliage. Berries change from red to blue. The fall foliage is usually bright red. This shrub has fragrant, flat-topped clusters of small, white flowers, the outer flowers larger than the inner ones.

This straggly shrub has beautiful bronze-red or purple- pin autumn coloration and is used by wildlife for food and cover. Its branches often bend and take root, tripping or hobbling passers-by; hence its common name.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Black, Green, Purple, Red
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: May , Jun

Distribution

USA: CT , GA , MA , MD , ME , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , TN , VA , VT , WV
Canada: NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: Extreme n.e. OH to RI, n. to ME and Maritime; also s. through mts. to SC
Native Habitat: Rich, moist woods; stream banks; swamps
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Moist, gravelly or sandy, acid loams.
Conditions Comments: Arching branches root at tips. Transplants well.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Gamebirds, songbirds and mammals eat fruit; browsers eat twigs and leaves
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Spring Azure

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Viburnum lantanoides is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Spring Azure
(Celastrina "ladon" )

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Seed Collection: Collect the fruit as soon as it has turned a dark blue-black color. Store seeds with pulp on at 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Viburnum lantanoides in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Viburnum lantanoides in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Viburnum lantanoides

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back