Viburnum, Nannyberry, Bare Root

Nannyberry Viburnum (Viburnum lentago)

Nannyberry is a versatile native shrub or small tree prized for its multi-season interest, high wildlife value, and adaptability to a wide range of conditions. Native to woodlands, streambanks, and thickets across eastern North America, Nannyberry produces fragrant white spring flowers, followed by edible, raisin-like berries and rich burgundy fall foliage. It’s an excellent choice for hedgerows, meadows, woodland edges, and pollinator gardens, especially where a low-maintenance, fruiting native shrub is desired.

Key Characteristics

• Fruit for Birds, Wildlife, and Human Use
  In late summer to fall, Nannyberry produces clusters of blue-black berries that persist into winter. Birds such as cedar waxwings, cardinals, and thrushes feed heavily on the fruit. The berries are also edible to humans, traditionally used to make jams, jellies, or eaten fresh when fully ripe.
• Pollinator-Friendly Blooms and Insect Support
  Large, creamy-white flower clusters bloom in May, attracting a wide variety of native bees, syrphid flies, and butterflies. As a larval host plant for several moth species, including the Spring Azure, it supports key stages of insect life cycles.
• Tolerates Wet or Dry Soils with Ease
  Naturally occurring in moist woodlands and streambanks, Nannyberry is surprisingly drought-tolerant once established. It grows well in medium-dry to medium-wet soils, making it ideal for ecological restoration, hedgerows, and erosion control.
• Multi-Stemmed or Single-Trunked Form for Flexible Use
  Can be grown as a large shrub or trained into a small tree, reaching 12–18 feet tall. Its adaptability makes it perfect for layered plantings, native privacy screens, or as a specimen plant in larger gardens.
• Great for Native Hedgerows, Pollinator Gardens, and Stream Edges
  Nannyberry integrates beautifully into wildlife corridors, streambank plantings, and food forest margins. It layers well with other native shrubs like elderberry, dogwood, and serviceberry to provide succession bloom and fruit throughout the seasons.

Product Details

• Native Range: Eastern and Central North America
• Plant Life Cycle: Deciduous shrub/small tree
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Requirements: Medium-dry to medium-wet
• Mature Height: 12–18 feet
• Bloom Time: May
• Bloom Color: White
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8

Nannyberry is a low-maintenance, high-impact native plant that offers beauty, biodiversity, and edible fruit. A must-have for hedgerows, meadows, and multi-layered wildlife gardens.