Viburnum lentago
Origin: North Central and Northeastern US, Canada
Improvement status: Wild
Seeds per packet: ~25
Germination tested: 5/2021: 1% (Hard seed: 0% Dormant seed: 94%)
Life cycle: Woody Perennial
Zones: 2-7
Also called Nannyberry Viburnum, Wild Raisin, Sweet Viburnum and Sheepberry, this is one of the larger native Viburnum shrubs sometimes growing up to 20’ needing about 10’+ of spacing per shrub. This could make a nice hedge– an edible and insectary hedge. Pro tip for Viburnum species fruit harvest, wait until late fall until after 1 or 2 frosts for the sweetest sugar content. Or sun dry this species for added storage and flavor. This has some deep raisin/currant/prune flavor, and is perhaps the most palatable Viburnum. It's a pollinator magnet to boot!
20'hx12'w. Wet to Medium Soil. Full-Part Sun. White bloom May, June. Wood shrub, high wildlife value.
These seeds were produced by our friends at Ernst Conservation Seeds in Meadville, PA.
Growing Tips: Double dormancy. Fall seed for germination in second spring.
