Illinois Native Plant Guide

Nannyberry
Viburnum lentago

Preferred Water Depth and Inundation Tolerance

Prefers moist to saturated soils in mesic woods. Species tolerates 1 inch of standing water.

Wildlife Value

Edible fruits attract birds. Provides food and nesting habitat for songbirds, such as, gray catbird, common flicker, American robin, eastern bluebird, cedar waxwing, and other species.

Application/Zone

Used in upper shoreline zones, for streambank stabilization, and on upland slope buffers.

Availability, Establishment, and Maintenance

• Available as bare root, container-grown, or balled and burlapped.
• Spreads vegetatively by suckers.
• Has fast growth rate, 2-2.5 feet per year.
• Some observations indicate berry pulp may need to be washed from the seed in order to achieve better germination.
• Moist, warm stratification of seeds followed by moist, cold stratification has been reported to break dormacy by some sources.

Nannyberry
Viburnum lentago

Mature Height
15-35 feet

Plant Type
Small tree/shrub

Indicator Status
Facultative (+)

pH
6.0-7.5

Nutrient Load Tolerance
Moderate

Salt Tolerance
Low

Siltation Tolerance
Low

Flowering Color and Time
White
May to June

Light Preference
Partial sun to full sun
Shade tolerant

Seeding Rate
Not applicable

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