Chicago Lustre Arrowwood Viburnum - In Bloom - June 2026

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I have a pair of Chicago Lustre Arrowwood Viburnum flowering shrubs that I planted in Fall of 2021 along the north fenceline in the backyard.  These are in the understory of the Tree Swing Oak Tree and home (now) to a pretty large (and...expanding) naturalized drift of Ostrich Ferns.  The Arrowwood Viburnums were spec'd as part of our landscape plan that called for them to be repeated in a number of spots.  I only planted two of these, but looking back at the posts, I probably should try to find some more of these and plant them around the back of the property.  

They were IMMEDIATELY attacked by the (dang) rabbits, so I started to protect them with some chicken wire cages.  Those cages remain today.  

These have bloomed the past few Summers, but I seem to have only documented them last June in a roundup post.  

Last month (May 2026), I noted that these shrubs had shot up and have (after five years) have some vertical-ness to them.  And, are starting to compete with the eight-foot-fence in terms of height.  

Here, below, are some photos showing the mid-June view of this flowering shrub.  (Note...this post is going up at the end of June, but these were taken in the second week of June 2026.)  

First up, the full view of the coverage.  The limbs are reaching up and out.  

They're littered with a blend of flower clusters that have opened (or are beginning to open):

With some that are still closed-up tight, but ready to burst:

Back when I planted them (Fall 2021), I included the details of this shrub - including how it is part of the "Chicagoland Grows" collection, how it works in shade and...how it got its name:

It is named arrowwood viburnum because Native Americans used the straight stems to make arrows. The arrowwood viburnum is one of the hardiest and easiest to grow of all viburnums for the garden.

Five years in, I'm starting to see (and be able to appreciate) that growth habit.  See below for a peek at the structure that has emerged - with a strong, straight set of limbs:


Compare that FULL, lush, foliage-heavy setting above with what this area looked like when I first planted them five years ago.  This was a blank slate back then.


Note to self:  Think about shopping for a few more of these shrubs this Summer.  And, if not, consider including them in my 2027 to-do list.  

Also...sorting out this understory garden (and removing some of the Ostrich Ferns) should also be on that same 2027 to-do list.  

Location: Downers Grove, IL, USA

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