Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Care for Viburnums
How to Care for Viburnums. Shrubs are generally among the easiest plants to care for, and viburnums are easy even among shrubs. This group of large, deciduous, flowering shrubs includes species native to Europe and Asia and others native to the eastern United States. Most flower in spring and have berries and interesting fall color later in the...
Shrubs are generally among the easiest plants to care for, and viburnums are easy even among shrubs. This group of large, deciduous, flowering shrubs includes species native to Europe and Asia and others native to the eastern United States. Most flower in spring and have berries and interesting fall color later in the year, so they have multi-season interest in the landscape. As a bonus, the native American species are ideally suited to feeding birds and other wildlife.
Things You'll Need
Compost
Mulch
Pruners
Choose a congenial site for your viburnum. Most viburnum species prefer full sun to light shade and will flower and fruit more profusely and have better fall color in a sunnier site. Most viburnums also prefer moist, well-drained soils, though some species can tolerate wet sites and others can tolerate dry ones. Check the specifics for your particular species.
Although not absolutely necessary, your viburnum will appreciate it if you apply a 1-inch layer of compost under the plant each spring. Start 6 inches from the trunk and spread compost out to the drip line (the area under the outermost branches).
Cover the compost with a 2-inch layer of mulch. This will help keep in moisture and keep down weeds. Again, apply the compost starting 6 inches from the trunk and spreading it out to the drip line.
Extra water and fertilizer are generally not needed, particularly for mature and well-established plants. You may water in times of drought (less than 1 inch of rainfall in a week) and during a plant's first year in a particular site, when it is still getting established.
Prune viburnums immediately after flowering. Pruning is not necessary but might be desired to shape the plant. For example, you might wish to shorten taller plants to bring their flowers closer to eye and nose level. You might wish to prune several viburnums into a hedge or a single plant into a small tree by removing all side stems and keeping only the single strongest, central trunk. If mature plants have become very crowded, prune out 1/3 of the oldest stems to thin them.
Tips & Warnings
Some species of viburnum have extremely fragrant flowers. You might want to locate these close to the house, someplace that you pass frequently, so that you can appreciate the scent every time you go by.
