Nannyberry

Viburnum lentago

Nannyberry is a species of Viburnum native to North America. This large shrub is adaptable to a variety of environmental conditions. It’s usually multi-stemmed but may have a single truck. It usually sends up suckers and may form a clonal colony. Leaves are green and glossy. This shrub produces panicles of white flowers on its new growths. The fragrant flowers will stay in bloom for about 2 weeks. Once the flowers are fertilized, deep blue fruits (drupes) appear and droop off the branches. Drupes are mature by late summer or fall and each contain a single seed. These fruits are eaten by gamebirds and songbirds. Nannyberry also offers as a common nesting site for a variety of native birds. Flowers are visited by many native bee species. Foliage of the Nannyberry are a host plant to several different moths and to the Spring and Summer Azure butterflies.