Possumhaw viburnum
Viburnum nudum
Berries ripen pink to blue on the same cluster.
Hardiness: zones 5 to 9
Light: part shade
Size: about 10 ft tall, 8 ft wide
Harvest: September to October
From: E. United States
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: food, pollinators, wildlife.
Native to: Southeast, Northeast. Hardy in zones 5 to 9.
The story
The species is native to eastern North America. Winterthur was selected at Winterthur Gardens in Delaware. Another common name is 'wild raisin'.
Planting
Sun to part shade. Soil: moist; tolerates wet soil (pH 5.5–6.5). Spacing: 5 ft. Pollination: plant within about 50 ft of a different V. nudum such as 'Brandywine' for berries.
Growing
Water: moderate–moist. Winter: Little pruning. Spring: Flat white flower clusters. Summer: Berries change from pink to blue. Fall: Burgundy-red fall color.
Harvest and use
Harvest: Berries Sep–Oct, mostly for wildlife. First crop: 2–3 years.
What to watch for
Viburnum leaf beetle.
See if Possumhaw viburnum fits your yard
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More native and wild plants
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home