Hi, I need some experienced advice based on the spread/growth habit of Viburnum lentago (ÂNannyberry ViburnumÂ). I want to plant two Viburnum lentago shrubs in my yard - I need two to ensure fruiting. I know that (under optimal conditions, when left naturally as a multiple-trunk shrub as IÂll grow them) Viburnum lentago can reach around 18 to 20Âtal; IÂm not sure of the spread on a 20 tall specimen, but I think it would be around 10 to 15Â? My situation is this: I have a single 12 gap in my landscape and a separate 7 gap (which is in heavy shade). I could either both shrubs in the 12 gap or one shrub in the 12 gap and the other shrub in the 8 gap. 1. If I grow the two shrubs in the 12 gap (allowed 6 spread each), would they still grow to a tall height? I want them to grow tall for privacy and I read from one source that when their spread is restricted, they do not grow as large  I hope that not as large means not as wide, net not restricting the height. 2. If I grow only one of the two shrubs in the 12 gap, will the other shrub out-of-view grown in a tight 7 gap in heavy shade produce too few flowers that not much pollination between the two. 3. If I plant the two in the 12 gap only 1 apart, would the two root systems inosculate (fuse, natural graft) so that, in effect, one shrub would be formed that bares flowers from both originals. 4. If I plant the two 4 apart and give them a little more spread (opening the gap to 15 total), maybe since they can spread out freely on opposing ends and only have dense mutual shade in between them. 5. Would you recommend I leave one in the 12 gap and leave the other in the small 7 shaded spot in the corner of the yard, but remove scion wood from the second to be grafted onto the first? I would hope that grafting viburnum spp is not difficult, although I would imagine that this might require some upkeep since they are always putting out more suckers and perhaps crowding out old ones. Thanks, Steve So, to recap, I need two for cross-pollination for fruiting, and I would like at least one of the two to grow around 18 tall.

Drought will be much more your enemy. Low winter temps will hardly be an issue with root systems; soil is a fabulous insulator. Viburnum lentago is native much farther north than zone 6b. I have purchased this species from nurseries growing in zone 4 (-30ºF). Nannyberry is much less happy with high summer soil temperatures. It performs very poorly here in central KY, where we can reach zone 5b/6a temps regularly, and I have relatively deep clay loam circumneutral soils. All that said, I don't have any good advice for a different species of viburnum to attempt on such shallow soil conditions, except...Viburnum molle. Kentucky viburnum (very similar to arrowwood, Viburnum dentatum) grows quite happily in its native haunts on shallow soils over limestone outcrops. If you can reproduce those conditions, then you may have success with one of the rarest viburnums in the US.

I want the Viburnum lentago shrubs to take up a lot of space. Ideally, I'd like them to grow 12' wide by 10 to 12' tall after decades of maturity, but I'm afraid that they will grow 12' wide by 20' tall. I would plant them 12' apart - two of them in partial sun against a fence. I hope it's that V. lentago will grow taller only when given full room... maybe I better place them closer together - like 6' apart. I do not want to have to prune them; I'm into natural landscapes and want to work-out an arrangement conducive to the trees natural expression of growth habit. I want them as understory shrubs, so if they get taller then 12', I wont be able to pick fruit from the native fruit tree that they will be under. Thanks, Steve

Keep in mind that they will not grow to a specific predictable size and then remain frozen there; the sizes reached by trees and shrubs varies with how they are handled before planting and with how they respond to the specific conditions of a planting site. Trees and shrubs continue to grow larger until they enter a decline and die back or die. Viable specimens make new grow every year. Note also that Amelanchier canadensis is a loosely applied name in commerce with more than one other species being traded under the name. The true item is a vigorously suckering, comparatively short-growing species. Other species sold in its place tend to be more arborescent (tree-like). Most serviceberries are shrubby trees and may sucker or grow bushy under conditions promoting this habit more than a tall one. And some stock may be grafted on a different, more suckerous species than the one purchased (as a scion). For example, a 'Cumulus' I planted at a friend's place decades ago has grown into a tree maybe 20' tall with a clearly defined single trunk - fringed at the bottom by suckers of what appears to be western serviceberry rootstock that have never given up trying to form their own top. The viburnum, as you say can be grown as a small tree if trained into that shape. Otherwise it produces a typical viburnum clump of angular branches. If size is a concern select plants that do not grow into small trees or large shrubs. Stay completely out of that size group and you will not have to worry about something becoming 30' instead of 20' within your time on the site.