Bloomipedia
Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)
Photo: Ron Burkert via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flowering shrub

Nannyberry

Viburnum lentago

Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) is a shrub in the Viburnaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly May–June across the U.S.

🌷 Flowering shrubNative in the lower 48

Nannyberry is a popular flowering shrub. It's on our flower lists for 26 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in May–June.

29states where USDA records it
26Bloomipedia state lists include it
5,330U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 23, 2026. Planted garden shrubs are mostly excluded from research grade.

On our lists for: Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Quick look

Viburnum lentago, the nannyberry, sheepberry, or sweet viburnum, is a species of Viburnum native to North America.

  • It belongs to the Viburnaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub / a tree with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 29 states. USDA PLANTS
  • In Minnesota, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
  • In Wisconsin, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 28 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 1,030 research-grade sightings of it in Minnesota, ranking #104 among the 152 flowers on our Minnesota list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 974 research-grade sightings of it in Wisconsin, ranking #103 among the 161 flowers on our Wisconsin list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 729 research-grade sightings of it in New York, ranking #110 among the 193 flowers on our New York list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (475 records)
Bloom time in the 26 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
Minnesota🌷 GardenMay–June1,030
Wisconsin🌷 GardenMay–June974
New York🌷 GardenMay–June729
Illinois🌷 Gardenfew records (35)508
Michigan🌷 Gardenfew records (43)470
Vermont🌷 GardenMay–June357
Ohio🌷 Gardenfew records (28)277
Maine🌷 Gardenfew records (30)211
Pennsylvania🌷 Gardenfew records (18)157
Massachusetts🌷 Gardenfew records (13)148
New Hampshire🌷 Gardenfew records (13)93
Connecticut🌷 Gardenfew records (6)80
Indiana🌷 Gardenfew records (6)68
Maryland🌷 Gardenno flowering records45
Iowa🌷 Gardenfew records (1)32
New Jersey🌷 Gardenno flowering records31
South Dakota🌷 Gardenfew records (1)30
North Dakota🌷 Gardenno flowering records22
Missouri🌷 Gardenno flowering records18
Rhode Island🌷 Gardenfew records (1)12
West Virginia🌷 Gardenno flowering records10
Nebraska🌷 Gardenno flowering records7
Virginia🌷 Gardenfew records (2)7
Colorado🌷 Gardenno flowering records5
Montana🌷 Gardenno flowering records2
Oklahoma🌷 Gardenno flowering records0

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
State rare plant lists
Not listed Not on the official rare plant list in 19 of our 26 states.
See each state
Minnesota
Not listed Not on Minnesota endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Minn. R. 6134.0300). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Minnesota. Minn. R. 6134.0300
Wisconsin
Not listed Not on Wisconsin endangered and threatened species list (Wis. Admin. Code NR 27.03). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Wisconsin. NR 27.03
New York
Not listed Not on New York protected native plants (6 NYCRR § 193.3). NatureServe: S5, secure in New York. 6 NYCRR § 193.3
Illinois
Not listed Not on Illinois List of Endangered and Threatened Flora (17 Ill. Adm. Code 1050), per the Endangered Species Protection Board's 2025 checklist. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Illinois. IL E&T checklist 2025
Michigan
Not listed Not on Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Michigan. R 299.1028
Vermont
Not listed Not on Endangered and Threatened Plants of Vermont (10 V.S.A. chap. 123; list of Feb 10, 2022). NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Vermont. Vermont E&T list
Ohio
Not listed Not on Ohio endangered and threatened plants (Ohio Adm. Code 1501:18-1-03, eff. Dec. 26, 2024). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Ohio. OAC 1501:18-1-03
Maine
Not listed Not on Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Maine. Maine rare plant list
Pennsylvania
Not listed Not on Pennsylvania classified native plants (17 Pa. Code Ch. 45, Subchapter B, as amended 2023). NatureServe: S5, secure in Pennsylvania. 17 Pa. Code Ch. 45
Massachusetts
Not listed Not on Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Massachusetts. MESA list
New Hampshire
Not listed Not on New Hampshire Official Rare Plants List (Ncr 312, eff. Jan 1, 2020). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Hampshire. NH Ncr 312
Connecticut
Not listed Not on Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Connecticut. CT E/T/SC list
Maryland
Not listed Not on Maryland threatened and endangered plants (COMAR 08.03.08.05, .06 and .08). NatureServe: S1, critically imperiled in Maryland. COMAR 08.03.08
Iowa
Not listed Not on Iowa endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Iowa Admin. Code r. 571-77.3). NatureServe: S5, secure in Iowa. IAC 571-77.3
New Jersey
Not listed Not on New Jersey Endangered Plant Species List (N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1). NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in New Jersey. N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1
Missouri
Not listed Not on Missouri Wildlife Code endangered species (3 CSR 10-4.111), plants. NatureServe: S1, critically imperiled in Missouri. 3 CSR 10-4.111
Rhode Island
Not listed Not on Rhode Island Rare Plants 2016 (RI Natural History Survey, from the RI Wildlife Action Plan; informational, Rhode Island has no state plant-protection listing law). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Rhode Island. RI rare plants 2016
Nebraska
Not listed Not on Nebraska threatened and endangered species (163 Neb. Admin. Code ch. 4, § 004). NatureServe: S1, critically imperiled in Nebraska. 163 NAC 4-004
Virginia
Not listed Not on Virginia endangered and threatened plant and insect species (2VAC5-320-10). NatureServe: S1, critically imperiled in Virginia. 2VAC5-320-10
Indiana
No list Indiana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the DNR keeps a rare plant list, but it isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Indiana ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Indiana.
South Dakota
No list South Dakota's endangered and threatened list (ARSD 41:10:02) covers animals only, so we show NatureServe's South Dakota ranks for plants. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in South Dakota.
North Dakota
No list North Dakota has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's North Dakota ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in North Dakota.
West Virginia
No list West Virginia has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (only federally listed species are protected), so we show NatureServe's West Virginia ranks instead. NatureServe: S1, critically imperiled in West Virginia.
Colorado
No list Colorado has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Colorado ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Colorado.
Montana
No list Montana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Montana ranks instead. NatureServe: S2, imperiled in Montana.
Oklahoma
No list Oklahoma has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Oklahoma ranks instead. NatureServe has no Oklahoma rank for it.
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: DE (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 23, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Please leave it where it grows

Please don't pick or dig this flower: NatureServe ranks it S1 in Maryland, S1 in Missouri, S1 in West Virginia, S1 in Nebraska, S1 in Virginia and S2 in Montana. NatureServe

Can you eat it?

For peopleEdible (per NC State Extension)

NC State Extension notes: “Fruits may be eaten off the bush when ripe or used in jams and jellies.” NC State Extension

For petsNon-toxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Black Haw” (Viburnum lentago) lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Eating lots of any plant can still upset a pet's stomach. ASPCA

Edible or not, please don't pick this one. See the note under Conservation status.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records nannyberry in 29 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Minnesota counties with USDA records: Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Dakota, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Swift, Todd, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Wright.

Wisconsin counties with USDA records: Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Monroe, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood.

New York counties with USDA records: Albany, Bronx, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Genesee, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Nassau, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Westchester, Wyoming.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Nannyberry a low shade tolerance, low drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.0 to 7.0 and winter lows down to -33 °F.

Shade tolerance
Low
Drought tolerance
Low
Moisture use
Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to
medium, fine
Soil pH range
5.0 to 7.0
Minimum temperature tolerated
-33 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
128
Annual precipitation range
38 to 60 inches
Minimum root depth
14 inches
Salinity tolerance
None
Fertility requirement
Medium
Growth rate
Slow
Lifespan
Long
Active growth period
Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed
Red · Summer to Fall
Can be propagated by
bare root, container, cuttings, seed
Commercial availability
Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for VILE. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Viburnum ×vetteri.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 540 counties across 25 states; the most are in Michigan (65), Wisconsin (61), Minnesota (57).

Other Viburnum on Bloomipedia (11): Mapleleaf viburnum, Hobblebush, Guelder-rose, Blackhaw, Japanese snowball viburnum, Northern wild raisin, Arrowwood viburnum, Squashberry, Laurustinus, Koreanspice viburnum.

More from the Viburnaceae family (14 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): American black elderberry, Red-berried elder, Blue elder.

More Minnesota flowers

Red-berried elder (Sambucus racemosa)

Red-berried elder

Sambucus racemosa

Native

🌼 Blooms in MN: April–May
Guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus)

Guelder-rose

Viburnum opulus

Native

🌼 Blooms in MN: May–June
Japanese snowball viburnum (Viburnum plicatum)

Japanese snowball viburnum

Viburnum plicatum

🌷 Flowering shrub

🌷 Grown in Minnesota gardens

Sources