Cowberry Viburnum lentago
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- vih-BUR-num lent-AH-go
- Description
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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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Viburnum
- Species:
- lentago
- Family:
- Viburnaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of 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.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Edibility:
- Fruits may be eaten off the bush when ripe or used in jams and jellies.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 18 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Open
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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 To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- A mixture of 1/2 inch light green, pale yellow, and red-pink fruits in the same cluster slowly change to blue-black.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Cream/Tan
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Creamy white flowers on 3 to 4 in. flat-topped cyme. Individual flowers are 1/4 inch across with 5 petals and long stamens.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 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.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Black
- Dark Gray
- Bark Plate Shape:
- Square
- Bark Description:
- The bark is dark gray to black in a pattern of small blocks
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems and young branches are brown and smooth
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
