General Culture:
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prune immediately after flowering since flower buds form in summer for the following year. Remove root suckers to control spread unless naturalization is desired.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Nannyberry is a large, upright, multi-stemmed, suckering, deciduous shrub which typically grows to 10-18' tall with a spread of 6-12', but may also be grown as a small, single trunk tree which may reach a height of 30'. Non-fragrant white flowers in flat-topped cymes (to 4.5" diameter) appear in spring. Flowers give way in autumn to blue-black, berry-like drupes which often persist into winter and are quite attractive to birds and wildlife. Ovate, finely toothed, glossy dark green leaves (to 4" long) are abruptly long-pointed. Variable fall color ranges from drab greenish-yellow to reddish-purple. Although widespread in eastern North America, this plant is only known to exist in Missouri in low woods and wooded slopes in Schuyler County. Fruits are edible and may be eaten off the bush when ripe or used in jams and jellies. Nanny goats apparently feed on the ripe berries (reportedly more so than billy goats), hence the common name.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Mildew and leaf spot are occasional problems.
Uses:
Shrub borders. Tall hedge or screen. Background for native plantings. Suckering habit is conducive to naturalizing.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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