Deciduous shrub
Bloomtime: May–July
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Height: 6’–8’
Moisture: Medium–Moist
Soil: Clay, loam, sand
Attracts: Butterflies, pollinators, birds
Benefit: Host plant for the Spring Azure butterfly
Nannyberry, (Viburnum lentago) is a versatile native shrub with excellent year-round interest, Nannyberry Viburnum features showy white flowers in May and burgundy leaf color in autumn with dark blue berries. A large upright shrub, it spreads by roots to form colonies and makes an excellent privacy screen or hedgerow. It can be maintained as a small tree by pruning stems and removing the suckers at the base. Adaptable to a wide range of soils, this native viburnum is found in low moist woods or near stream banks, but will tolerate drier sites. Very shade tolerant in nature, it grows larger in open sunny areas.
Viburnums offer excellent support for birds and pollinators, and serve as host plants to numerous butterflies and moths. They tend to flower profusely whether or not pollination occurs. However, poor fruiting will happen if there is only one Viburnum available. The edible berries can be used to make jams and jellies.