Nannyberry
Viburnum lentago
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Matt Lavin
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Viburnaceae
- Genus:
- Viburnum
- Species:
- Viburnum lentago
- USDA Symbol:
- VILE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 900 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Ailanthus silkmoth (Samia cynthia), Autumnal moth (Epirrita autumnata), Azalea sphinx (Darapsa choerilus), Chestnut schizura (Schizura badia), Crocus Geometer (Xanthotype sospeta), dotted sparganothis moth (Sparganothis diluticostana), Glyptocera consobrinella, Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Horrid Zale (Zale horrida), Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe), Obliquebanded leafroller (Choristoneura rosaceana), Olethreutes viburnanum, Pink Prominent (Hyparpax aurora), Red-humped caterpillar moth (Schizura concinna), rose hooktip moth (Oreta rosea), Schaller's acleris (Acleris schalleriana), Walker’s Atlas Moth (Samia walkeri), Holly Blue (Celastrina argiolus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, purple
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire. Typically found in fire-suppressed woodlands and edges.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers fertile soils in native habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 150–270 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–730 days
- Notes:
- Seeds have double dormancy requiring warm stratification (3-5 months) followed by cold stratification (2-4 months). Germination may take two years.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: Fruit should be collected from multiple plants within the boundaries of the Monongahela National Forest from existing populations. The fruit should be allowed to mature on the plant before harvesting as indicated by the bluish black color of the fruit. Care should be taken to ensure the fruits do not overheat after collection because this could damage the embryo.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Expose to fluctuating outdoor winter temps incl. freezing for 3 months. Increase light/temp in spring. Pulpy coat -- soak & rinse daily 7 days to remove.