When To Prune Viburnum

November 25, 2024 Post a Comment

When to prune viburnum

Hard pruning of viburnums is also commonly done in late winter or early spring while the plant is still dormant, but waiting until after the flowering period inhibits the growth of straggly water sprouts in favor of healthier, more substantial new branches. Total removal of old growth is not always necessary.

How do I prune my viburnum?

To shape a viburnum, prune it lightly immediately after flowering. Remove the flower heads and cut back any branches that spoil the shape of the shrub to a pair of newly-sprouted leaves. Remember that removing the flower heads will preclude the formation of fruit, which can be very attractive in many viburnums.

Does viburnum need to be cut back?

With a light, yearly pruning that encourages their natural form, these plants will produce a plethora of beautiful blooms every spring. Viburnums are one of many examples of a spring-blooming shrub that should be pruned soon after flowering.

How do you prepare viburnum for winter?

To prepare for colder weather, it is best to stop watering the shrub in the fall. During the winter, viburnums are not active growers so the evaporation of water is slower and the plant needs much less water. Placing mulch around the base of the shrub will help to conserve moisture as it rains or snows.

Can you trim viburnum in the fall?

Pruning your viburnum helps to promote a well-branched shrub that has a denser growth habit. Light pruning can be performed any time throughout the growing season, but late winter or early spring is the best time to complete a hard pruning if needed. Suckers growing at the base of the shrub can be removed at any time.

What is the lifespan of a viburnum?

How long can viburnum live? Depending upon the variety, viburnum can live between 50 and 150 years with proper care.

Can I cut my viburnum to the ground?

Yes, really—all of them. And don't leave an inch for good measure—cut as close to the ground as possible. No matter what time of year your shrub blooms, do this type of pruning in the early spring. You may sacrifice flowers for one season, but your plant will thank you with abundant blooms the next.

Do viburnums bloom on old or new wood?

Viburnums bloom on old wood, meaning they form new flower buds during the summer that will open the following spring. If you prune viburnums in the late summer or winter, you'll cut off the spring flowers.

Can you keep viburnum short?

How Much Can a Viburnum Shrub be Trimmed Back? Typically, viburnum shrubs should be trimmed back about a third of their size each year. Most pruning is done for shaping purposes only.

Should I deadhead my viburnum?

Even the lightest form of pruning, the removal of spent flowers called deadheading, isn't needed with most viburnums, since what you want is fruit after the flowers (unlike all that deadheading with lilacs, for instance, to prevent messiness).

Can you use hedge trimmers on viburnum?

Yes, Boxwoods have been trimmed for hundreds of years with hedge trimmers. Although it isn't the most healthy practice for the plant, it is accepted.

How do you maintain viburnum?

Viburnums thrive in full sun to partial or mostly shade, depending on the variety. Provide moisture-retaining but well-draining, fertile soil. Add compost or aged manure, if necessary, before planting. The soil pH requirements vary by species; pH 5.5 to 6.5 is average.

Do viburnum lose their leaves in winter?

Your viburnum bushes are deciduous, which means they will drop their leaves each fall. Their growth rate should increase after the first year.

Can you prune a viburnum to look like a tree?

Viburnums do not require pruning, however, plants can be pruned for shaping purposes, to remove damaged or dead branches, and many taller growers can be pruned to form a very attractive single- or multi-trunk small tree.

Do viburnums need a lot of water?

Viburnum does not require a lot of watering except for when it is newly planted or during drought conditions. When newly planted, give the entire root ball area a deep soaking. After that, water two times a week or run your sprinklers 20-30 minutes twice a week.

What does viburnum look like in the fall?

Foliage usually turns dull red in fall, but may sometimes display attractive shades of wine-red to burgundy. V. dentatum "Blue Muffin." Arrowwood viburnum has creamy white flowers that lead to blue fruit with orange to burgundy-purple fall foliage.

What do viburnum look like in winter?

Depending on the variety, the plants overwinter in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 9. Many varieties of this plant are known for their dark green foliage turning to red in fall and yellow, red or black fruit persisting through the winter.

Why is my viburnum not flowering?

They flower on wood produced the previous year, so if you cut after the flower buds have formed (i.e. fall, winter or early spring), you'll cut off that May's blooms. Lack of light and poor soil nutrition are two other general causes of shrub non-blooming.

What does a mature viburnum look like?

This shrub can grow quite tall and has multiple, erect-arching stems that form a loose, round growth habit. White and flat-topped flower clusters with lustrous green foliage turn several colors in the fall.

What kills viburnum?

One of the most damaging diseases of viburnum is Armillaria root rot, also known as shoestring root rot or mushroom root rot. This is another fungus, but it affects the roots of the plant and can lead to death. Initially, the leaves and stems of the plant will appear stunted, yellow, and leaves may drop to the ground.