Image of Viburnum lentago
Source: OWSL
image of Shrub
Viburnum lentago
Nannyberry
Viorne flexible

Obsolete Names

black haw
sheepberry
sweet viburnum
alises
alisier
bourdaine
viorne lentago
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: White Bloom period: May - May
Max Height: 20.0 feet
Max Width: 12.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
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 that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
hedge Can be used as a hedge
Ecological Benefits:
Bird friendly Supports birds
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
rabbit resistant Rabbit resistant
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
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

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Viburnum lentago
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Boreal Plains
  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Viburnum lentago

  • Agriopodes teratophora (Green Marvel)
  • Amblyscirtes hegon (Pepper and salt skipper)
  • Celastrina ladon (Spring Azure)
  • Lomographa vestaliata (White Spring Moth)

Specialized Bees Supported by Viburnum lentago

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

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 Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 170 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Warm moist stratify 180d, 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 mean: 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, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one 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

Not known to be toxic to mammals if ingested.