Nannyberry is a native, suckering shrub in the Viburnaceae family and is adaptable to a wide range of sites. It is commonly found in moist areas with rich loam to clay-loam soil, such as low woods, swamp borders, or near stream banks but tolerates drier sites. Although quite shade-tolerant, it achieves a relatively larger size in more open areas. It can be grown as a shrub or small tree. Creamy white flowers in spring are showy as are the fruits in the fall which are edible. Fall color is orange to reds. Plant in full sun to dappled shade in average moist well-drained soils. Use as a small tree, a hedge, in naturalized areas or woodland settings. Great shrub to attract wildlife. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems : It can develop mildew in shader sites. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases. More information on Viburnum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 18 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Open
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are 2-4 inches long and 1-2 inch wide. They are glossy dark green with new growth being yellow-green. Fall color is orange to purplish-red.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Purple/Lavender
Flower color
Black; Blue; Cream/Tan; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Creamy white flowers on 3 to 4 in. flat-topped cyme. Individual flowers are 1/4 inch across with 5 petals and long stamens.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Blue; Gold/Yellow; Pink
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
A mixture of 1/2 inch light green, pale yellow, and red-pink fruits in the same cluster slowly change to blue-black.
Bark color
Black; Dark Gray
Bark detail
The bark is dark gray to black in a pattern of small blocks
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Stem detail
Stems and young branches are brown and smooth
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
NE and midwest North America
Distribution
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
Wildlife value
Mildly resistant to damage by deer. Birds and other wildlife are attracted to fruits and butterflies to the blooms. Larval host for the Spring Azure butterfly.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators; Songbirds
Host plant for
Spring Azure butterfly
Play value
Wildlife Food Source; Wildlife Larval Host
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Drupe
Edibility
Fruits may be eaten off the bush when ripe or used in jams and jellies.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area
Landscape theme
Pollinator Garden
Design feature
Border; Hedge; Screen/Privacy
Garden tags
#deciduous #deer resistant #showy flowers #white flowers #shrub #naturalizes #native garden #non-toxic for cats #non-toxic for horses #non-toxic for dogs #full sun tolerant #partial shade tolerant #showy fruits #hedge #wildlife friendly #HS304 #bat friendly #moth friendly