Nannyberry Viburnum

Viburnum lentago

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-8b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub or Small Tree

Height at Maturity: 15-18′, taller if tree-formed

Width at Maturity: 8-12′

Spacing: 8′ apart for solid hedge; 18’+ apart for space between plants.

Growth Habit / Form: Multi-stemmed, Round, Upright

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: Creamy White

Flower Size: 3-4″

Flowering Period: Late Spring

Flower Type: Domed, Flat-Topped Clusters

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Dark Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: Yes

Berry Color: Yellow to Red to Blue/Black, edible!

Sun Needs: Full to Mostly Sun, Morning Sun With Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Afternoon Sun

Water Needs: Moist to Average

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sandy, Silty

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist to Dry when established

Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.5 (Acid to Neutral)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention, Birds, Butterflies, Beneficial Insects

Resistances: Disease, Moderate Drought, Heat, Insect, Air Pollution

Description

A larger growing species, the Nannyberry Viburnum can be grown as a large shrub from 10 to 18 feet tall or lower branches can be removed to form a very attractive small to medium sized single or multi stemmed tree that might reach up to 25 feet in height. Its stems are clothed in ovate, finely toothed, lustrous dark green leaves with a lighter underside, which turn reddish-purple-marron in the fall. Abundant, dome-shaped flat-top clusters of showy white flowers appear in late spring which are followed by blue-black berries the birds and other wildlife will thank you for. What’s more, the fruits are edible and can be picked and eaten right off the bush when ripe!

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 15 to 18 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide at maturity, the Nannyberry Viburnum can be grown as a large shrub or lower branches can be removed to form a very attractive small tree ideal for use as an eye-catching specimen or groupings in landscape and flowering shrub borders. As a tree, it might reach upwards of 25 feet in height. Also useful to frame corners of homes and entryways or as espalier (trained to grow flat against a wall) in home foundation plantings. A fine addition to edible gardens, white theme gardens, wildlife gardens, and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 8 feet apart for solid hedge; 18 feet or more apart for space between plants.

Growing Preferences

Viburnum is very easy to grow in most any moist but well drained soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. It prefers a loamy soil rich in organic matter. As with so many other ornamental plants it does not like constantly soggy or wet conditions. Quite drought tolerant when established and we’ve seen no serious pest or disease problems. Deer haven’t touched it in our gardens. For best flowering, at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day is suggested. Responds very well to pruning for shaping, size control and tree forming. Prune as needed immediately after flowering.

Helpful Articles

Click on the link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, prune, fertilize and water Viburnums.

How To Plant And Care For Viburnum Plants

Plant Long & Prosper!

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The Bush came as described, packed well, shipped promptly. I would definitely purchase from them again.———————————————————————–Thanks for the awesome review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

We ordered 5 Nannyberry from Wilson Bros. and all 5 not only arrived sooner than expected but also in excellent condition. We have planted them and there are no signs of stress. Very pleased with this whole experience—————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG