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.

To risk repeating what may have already been said here, Viburnum nudum needs to be cross pollinated to achieve better fruit set. It is not a question of male and female flowers borne on separate plants(dioecious), as with hollies; they simply need 2 different clones (ie different cultivars). Two plants of the same clone will pollinate each other, but fruit set is MUCH better with cross-pollination. As Viburnum nudum 'Winterthur' is one of the most commonly found clones (aka cultivars) suitable pollinators would be either an un-named clone of V. nudum (straight species), V. nudum 'Count Pulaski' or 'Earthshade'. The correct name is 'Earthshade', NOT 'Earthshades', and it was introduced by William Flemer IV, formerly of Princeton Nurseries, when he owned Earthshade Nursery in North Carolina in the 1990's. Rare Find Nursery in Jackson NJ is a mail-order source for all three of these clones. You may order online through their website or from the catalog. Here is a link that might be useful: Rare Find Nursery

I can only speak for the native ones. The most upright ones in my area are V. rufidulum and V. prunifolium. They can easily be considered small trees. As for berries, the V. dentatum ones disappear the fastest but the V. nudum ones are popular too. V. acerifolium ones stay on the longest ... but I just saw a robin snacking on them the other day.

In agreement with the two posts directly above, I'd add only that, if you are planting straight-species Viburnums, whatever that species happens to be, you will have what you need for good fruit set. It is only when working with cultivars that one must seek a compatible variety, which for this purpose means a variety (of the same species) that also happens to bloom at the same time as the other one(s) you have. Hope that clears this up a bit as it seems an eternal source of confusion. So, out in the wild somewhere, let's say there are some arrowwood viburnums growing. They are of the same species, but since they were open-pollinated, they are not identical clones, the way cultivars usually are. For this reason, that patch of wild shrubs will bear fruit well. It's only when we get into cultivars that we need "compatible" varieties for fruiting. +oM