Viburnum lentago

Common Names

Nannyberry, Nannyberry Viburnum, Sheepberry, Wild Raisin, Sweet Viburnum, Sweetberry

Summary

Native to eastern North America, Nannyberry is a large, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with an upright habit, typically 15–18 ft tall and 6–12 ft wide, often suckering from the base and sometimes trained to a single trunk. Distinctive features include gray-brown bark with a blocky pattern, creamy-white flowers in flat-topped clusters in spring, glossy opposite leaves, and blue-black edible drupes that persist into winter; fall color ranges from greenish-yellow to reddish-purple.

Prefers full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soils and hardiness zones 2–8; tolerates a range of sites from moist woods to urban conditions. Low maintenance; prune after flowering since buds for next year form in summer, and remove base suckers if naturalization is not desired. Uses include hedge, border, screen, or naturalizing plantings; berries attract birds and other wildlife, and flowers attract pollinators, making it a wildlife-friendly addition to native landscapes.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

15-30 feet

Spread

6-12 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 2-8

Sunlight Requirements

Full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained, rich loam soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Dark green (glossy); fall color yellow, orange, and reddish-purple

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow, orange, red, purple

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Medium growth rate.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Softwood cuttings, Layering, Base suckers

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, butterflies, and other pollinators