Image of Viburnum cassinoides
Source: Gilles Ayotte

Plant Names

image of Shrub
Viburnum cassinoides
Wild Raisin
Viorne cassinoïde

Synonyms

northern wild raisin
swamp haw
witherod
alises
alisier
bleuets sains
bourdaine

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: White Bloom Period: May - Jun
Max Height: 12.0 feet
Max Width: 12.0 feet
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
wetland garden Suitable for wetland garden
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
woodland garden Suitable for woodland gardens
hedge Can be used as a hedge
Ecological Benefits:
keystones species Keystone species
Tolerates:
Acidic Soil Tolerant Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
causes skin rashes This plant causes skin rashes

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant

Fun Facts

Wild Raisin has glossy, oval leaves and clusters of creamy-white flowers that appear in late spring to early summer. The flowers are followed by berries that ripen from pink to blue-black in late summer and wrinkle as they mature, giving the plant its common name. The fall foliage can become attractive shades of pink, red and purple. It is an excellent choice for a wet woodland, pond edge, native hedge or naturalized planting. It forms a dense, rounded shrub and is generally well behaved. It's a multi-season plant: it offers spring flowers, summer fruit, fall colour and winter structure, making it particularly useful in a naturalized garden. Avoid heavy pruning, which can remove next year's flower-producing wood. It performs best with reliable moisture but can tolerate some drying once established. Flowering and fruiting are generally better with more sunlight. Plant where it has room to reach its mature size.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Viburnum cassinoides
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Viburnum cassinoides

Specialized Bees Supported by Viburnum cassinoides

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
  • Rhamnus cathartica (Common Buckthorn)
  • Rhamnus frangula (Glossy Buckthorn)
  • Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush)
  • Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood)
  • Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan Balsam)
  • Berberis (Barberry)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 150 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Warm moist stratify 60d, then cold moist stratify 90d.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: September
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Berries are ripen and easily fall off or have fallen off
  • Harvesting:
    • Squeeze berries to extract seeds, wash with soapy water to remove flesh, rinse throroughly
  • Seed viability test:
    • No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: A dozen (12) seeds (eyeball)
  • Seed storage:
    • Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found but caution around dogs as grapes are toxic to dogs.