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Viburnum lentago (Nannyberry)
Makin, Julie

Viburnum lentago L.

Nannyberry, Blackhaw, Sweet viburnum, Sheepberry

Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)

USDA Symbol: VILE

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A tall viburnum, occasionally growing as a small tree, 20-25 ft. tall. Slender, erect-arching branches, somewhat open at maturity, often suckering. Attractive white flower clusters, dense dark-green summer foliage, wine-red fall color, blue-black berries which persist through winter. Shrub or small tree with short trunk, compact, rounded crown of drooping branches, small white flowers in clusters, and small bluish-black fruit.

When cut, the plants sprout from roots, and old branches will often arch down and take root. Songbirds, gamebirds, and mammals eat the fruit in winter.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Flower:
Fruit: Black, Blue
Size Class: 12-36 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May

Distribution

USA: CO , CT , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MT , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SD , VA , VT , WI , WV , WY
Canada: MB , NB , ON , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Que. to Man. & MT, s. to VA & n.e. MO, e. NE & WY
Native Habitat: Rich, open woods; hillsides; stream banks
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Moist to dry soils.
Conditions Comments: Adaptable to a wide range of conditions. Sometimes develops mildew in shady areas.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Squirrels, Birds.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Spring Azure

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Viburnum lentago is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Spring Azure
(Celastrina "ladon" )

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Seed Collection: Collect the fruit as soon as it has turned a dark blue-black color. Store seeds with pulp on at 41 degrees.
Seed Treatment: If seeds must be stored, they will need a period of stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Viburnum lentago in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Viburnum lentago in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Viburnum lentago

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-10-20
Research By: TWC Staff

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