2019 Plant of the Year, Honorable Mention

Proposed by: a member of The Garden Club of Nashville, Zone IX

Viburnum rufidulum (Rusty Blackhaw, Southern Blackhaw) is an incredibly versatile and underutilized native plant that can be used as a small specimen tree, a showy shrub border, an understory planting, or naturalized to provide habitat in a woodland setting.  With four-season interest, it is covered in spring and early June with striking 5 to 6-inch-wide clusters of small, creamy-white fragrant blooms that provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.  Its showy flowers can be cut or dried and are surrounded by lustrous dark green, glossy, summer foliage. During fall, its clusters of dark blue berries are extremely popular with wildlife. The berries are edible and taste similar to raisins.  In fall, Viburnum rufidulum foliage puts on a brilliant display of autumnal colors which concludes with reddish-brown articulated bark that provides architectural interest in winter.  Viburnum rufidulum will grow 10 to 20 feet in USDA zones 5 to 9 in full sun or partial/deep shade.  It tolerates clay and poor soil and can be planted and naturalized in ravines and along rocky banks of creeks to prevent erosion.  It is resistant to disease, insects, and deer and, because it is tolerant of drought and pollution, it is an excellent option for public and urban areas.  You will probably not find this hearty, vibrant native in a big box store, but it is definitely worth asking your local nursery to get it for you for your home or community.