This moisture-loving, deciduous shrub of the northeastern US features showy, fragrant, creamy-white blooms in spring and glossy, green leaves that turn any combination of yellow, red, and purple in fall. In September, the berries put on a show as they transition from green to pink to dark blue. Smooth witherod viburnum grows  5 to 12 feet tall and wide with a rounded, spreading form. It thrives in full to part sun and in moist, well-drained soils. It can handle wetter areas of the landscape (another common name is swamp haw) and has few significant problems with diseases or pests aside from the viburnum leaf beetle. 
 
Native habitats include savannas; wet pinelands; low, wet woods; and bogs. Plant along ponds and streams; near bogs; and in native, rain, or pollinator gardens. Use as a border, hedge, or privacy screen.
 
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 5-12' tall and wide.
 
Prefers sun to part shade.
 
Prefers acidic, moist, well-drained soils but adapts to clay, loamy, and sandy soils with average to wet moisture. Tolerates high acidity.
 
Large flat-topped clusters of white, saucer-shaped flowers less than an inch across bloom April-May. Light pink to deep pink to blue to purplish-black fruits with a single large seed appear August-October. All colors appear in the cluster at the same time.
 
Simple, opposite, oblong-shaped leaves are 3-6" long with wavy edges.
 
Bark is smooth and grayish brown with a few raised lenticels. 
 
Reproductive System: Male and female parts appear on same plant (monoecious). Not considered self-fertile. Berry production is best if more than one shrub is planted.
 
Wildlife Value:
Viburnums are a host plant for 101 species of Lepidoptera larvae, including the spring azure butterfly and hummingbird clearwing moths. The fruits are eaten by song birds, grouses, wild turkeys, and squirrels. The twigs and leaves are browsed by deer.
 
Medicinal, Edible, and Other Uses:
 
A tea made from the bark is used as an antispasmodic, a diuretic, and a uterine sedative.
 
Resources:
Buckeye Yard and Garden: https://bygl.osu.edu/node/627
 
North Carolina Extension: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/viburnum-nudum/
 
Plants for a Future: https://tinyurl.com/4r7pne7e