Georgia · Shrub

Arrowwood viburnum for birds in Georgia

Blue-black fall fruit and dense nesting cover. Native to Georgia, where it feeds or shelters 102 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Viburnum dentatum
Native status
Native in Georgia
Hardiness zones
USDA 7a–9a
What birds get from it
fruit and berries, insects for nestlings
Georgia birds supported
102
Nesting birds among them
80

Growing conditions in Georgia

Humid subtropical, with cooler mountains in the north and a warm coastal plain in the south.

Hot, humid summers; bluebirds can raise three broods but boxes in full sun overheat.

Georgia birds that use Arrowwood viburnum

Year-round residents (47)

Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, House Finch, Carolina Wren, American Robin, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, Eastern Phoebe, Pine Warbler, Eastern Screech-Owl, European Starling, American Crow, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Hooded Merganser, Killdeer, American Woodcock, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Boat-tailed Grackle

Mild winters bring irregular purple finch and pine-siskin irruptions from the north.

Nesting season it supports in Georgia

Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Arrowwood viburnum:

  • Northern Cardinal — March–September
  • Eastern Bluebird — March–August
  • Carolina Chickadee — March–June
  • Purple Martin — April–July
  • Downy Woodpecker — March–June
  • Hairy Woodpecker — March–June
  • Tufted Titmouse — March–June
  • White-breasted Nuthatch — March–June
  • House Wren — April–August
  • House Finch — March–August

Native plants to pair with Arrowwood viburnum in Georgia

Cornus florida · Tree

High-fat fall fruit critical before migration and winter.

Amelanchier arborea · Tree

Early-summer berries.

Prunus serotina · Tree

Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.

Sambucus canadensis · Shrub

Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.

Lindera benzoin · Shrub

Lipid-rich red fruit fuels fall migrants.

Sassafras albidum · Tree

Blue fruit on red stalks in late summer.

Frequently asked

Is Arrowwood viburnum native to Georgia?

Yes. Arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) is recorded as native in Georgia. Georgia spans USDA 7a–9a.

What birds does Arrowwood viburnum attract in Georgia?

In Georgia, Arrowwood viburnum supports 102 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.

Does Arrowwood viburnum help nesting birds in Georgia?

80 of those birds nest in Georgia: Northern Cardinal (March–September), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), Carolina Chickadee (March–June), Purple Martin (April–July).

Which winter birds use Arrowwood viburnum in Georgia?

Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Cedar Waxwing, Tree Swallow, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Fox Sparrow, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Orange-crowned Warbler, Palm Warbler, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird use it in Georgia during the cold months.

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — Georgia
  4. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  5. Audubon Native Plants Database

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.