Rusty Blackhaw will grow and look nice in full sun or partial shade on any reasonably fertile, well drained soil. The tree grows in a shady spot but forms a more open habit. Flowering is significantly reduced in the shade. although tolerant of drought, it will not tolerate compacted soil. This would be a good tree for planting beneath power lines and in other limited space areas. Useful as a hedge, specimen, or border tree, this deciduous tree adapts well to urban areas. Shoots arise from the root system, sometimes as far out as the dripline. This could be a maintenance problem when planted in a bed of mulch. But sprouts would be routinely cut with regular mowing when planted as a street tree in a lawn. Propagation is by seed or cuttings.

This tree is usually pest-free. Viburnum aphid is gray to dark green and feeds in clusters at the tips of the branches, causing leaf curl. Viburnum opulus is especially susceptible. The insects can be dislodged with high pressure water spray from the garden hose. Inspect the stems of unhealthy-looking plants for possible scale infestations. If found, spray with horticultural oil for some control.

Bacterial leafspot causes round, water-soaked spots on leaves and young stems. These develop into shrunken, brown areas about 1/8-inch in diameter. Destroy infected leaves, if you wish. This is not a problem to be concerned about. Bacterial crown gall forms galls on the lower stems. Do not replant in the same spot. Shoot blight causes grayish to brown decayed spots on the leaves. The spots first appear at the leaf margins, then spread to the rest of the leaf. Infected flower clusters or twigs are killed. A number of fungi cause leaf spots. Rake up and destroy infected leaves. These are usually not a serious problem. Powdery mildew causes a white powdery growth on the leaves, but this Viburnum is usually not affected. - From USDA Fact Sheet ST-661 October 1994