Nannyberry Viburnum is a large, deciduous shrub native to North America that grows 14 to 16 feet tall and 6 to 12 feet wide, thriving in hardiness zones 2 through 8. In May, it produces showy, flat-topped clusters of white flowers that transform into striking blue-black berries by autumn, often persisting well into winter. The fruit is not only ornamental but entirely edible, making this a dual-purpose shrub that feeds both your family and hungry birds and butterflies. Its exceptional cold hardiness and adaptability to urban conditions, combined with low maintenance needs, explain why this species has been valued by gardeners and naturalists for generations.
Partial Sun
Moderate
2-8
192in H x 144in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
The autumn fruit display alone justifies growing nannyberry, but what truly sets it apart is the combination of edible berries that persist into winter, exceptional wildlife appeal, and the ability to thrive in zones as cold as 2. You'll get showy spring flowers, ornamental berries in shades of blue-black, and minimal fussing required once established. It tolerates full sun to partial shade and adapts readily to urban conditions, handling poor soil and difficult sites where other shrubs struggle.
Nannyberry excels as a hedge or screening plant, where its dense, multi-stemmed growth habit creates an effective privacy barrier. The edible berries can be eaten fresh off the branch or harvested for preserves, syrups, and other preparations. Its role as a wildlife sanctuary makes it equally valuable for pollinator gardens and bird-friendly landscapes, where both the spring flowers and autumn fruit feed insects, birds, and other creatures throughout the growing season.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Harvest berries in autumn when they have fully darkened to blue-black. They can be eaten fresh directly from the branch or collected for processing into preserves and syrups. The fruit often persists into winter, giving you an extended harvest window.
Prune immediately after flowering in May, before the plant sets flower buds for the next year. Remove root suckers as needed to control spread unless you prefer the shrub to naturalize across your landscape.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.