pruning snowball bushes youtube

How to Prune Snowball Bushes. You can cut snowball hydrangeas to the ground every year. The twigs are remarkably thin and have an ochre-yellow, later reddish to dark brown bark. For 17 years, she worked for a Fortune 500 company before purchasing a business and starting a family. The three-inch clusters of snowball flowers start out apple-green and morph to white, eventually fading to a rosy color, as do some hydrangea shrubs.. You can cut the flowers to use in displays. Viburnums also take some pruning, but most often they don't need much attention. Leave behind the thinner, fresher shoots coming up from the plant’s base. Remove any damaged branches, or those that look diseased or dead. Snow in the spring is rare, but you can enjoy spring and summer "snowballs" of a different kind if you cultivate a snowball bush. Growing to a size of around 4.5 by 4.5 metres, clusters of tiny white flowers resembling snowballs cover the plant in spring. Some bushes/branches were able to develop another set of buds, others not. You are absolutely right that this has been a volatile weather year for woody plants. Prune only after the bush has finished blooming. Decide why you want to prune, as not all plants need pruning annually. Another example of a shrub that has been sheared because of a lack of understanding for the shrubs pruning needs. If you prune every year or two, you can remove about 1/3 of the plant each time to keep it under control. However, pruning can keep the perennial from growing too quickly and help it maintain optimal health and shape. In the fall, the snowball bush's foliage turns yellow and red, bringing rich autumn color into the garden. Viburnum bushes are at least 6 ft (1.8 m) tall, typically taller than hydrangea bushes, and produce larger flowers. Growing to a height and spread of up to 10 feet or more, the snowball bush may be planted as hedge, privacy screen or focal shrub. Attaining tree size at 12' by 12', clusters of tiny white flowers resembling snowballs cover the plant in spring. These will rejuvenate your viburnum. If your bush is too overgrown or out of shape, you can also trim the top or sides to retain its characteristic shape. In this video we will demonstrate how to trim your snowball bush from Settlemyre Nursery. Chinese snowball (Viburnum macrocephalum) is a deciduous shrub that reaches a height up to 20 feet. For more extensive renovation, remove some of the major branches down to the base of the plant and thin the center out before reducing the length of the tallest branches. What many people don’t realize is that several different plants are called snowball bushes. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 85,706 times. Learn about pruning bushes and shrubs, including when to prune and how to properly shape hedges. This article has been viewed 85,706 times. This could cause the ninebark to grow poorly. Sanitize the pruning shears. Through routine maintenance, you can reduce the amount of pruning you need to do in the fall. Depending on which variety you have, make slight adjustments to your pruning routine in order to help your plant thrive. Remove up to one-third of the shrub's interior and perimeter branching but no more in order to reduce stress on the plant. However, the removed shoots can be rooted in pots to start additional bushes for your garden. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Their colorful spring and summer evolution begins with green blooms before turning bright white and fading to pink as they wither. This allows sunlight and proper ventilation to reach the remaining branches. Last Updated: July 10, 2019 We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. If you like hydrangeas, you are going to love this flowering shrub.The Chinese snowball viburnum (Viburnum macrocephalum) is a large shrub in the Viburnum genus.In April and May, it is adorned with hydrangea-like blooms that can reach up to 6 … Of course, much of viburnum pruning depends on the variety grown too. Viburnum plicatum ‘Mary Milton’ is a very beautiful shrub, and its blooming in spring is as wonderful as its foliage in fall. While there are over 150 varieties of viburnum, one of the most popular is known as the "snowball bush." When to Prune Viburnum. Use a clean, sharp pair of shears to cut the oldest, thickest shoots as near to the ground as you can to get rid of them. Best offers for your Garden - https://amzn.to/2InnD0w ----- Difference Between Snowball Bush & Hydrangea. Expect viburnum snowball bushes to blossom in May. I found no information on pruning side branches to get a tree form, but one of the sources said you can prune anytime. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. While light pruning can be performed anytime throughout the year, it’s best to leave any major shearing or severe pruning for late winter or early spring. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Trim any root shoots or "suckers" at the base of the shrub, or on the ground directly below -- these can develop into additional plants that threaten the health of the pruned bush. Snowball viburnum is a beautiful shrub, much liked in our gardens for its beautiful blooming. The best time to prune your Viburnum snowball bush is after the flowers bloom in spring, since you can destroy next year’s flowers if you prune it too early or late. "In general, spring flowering plants bloom from buds formed the previous season. Trimming hydrangeas to the ground can weaken them over time. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Hard prune only in the late spring or early summer immediately after blooming to avoid removal of the next season's flower buds. 2. Any serious pruning is done just after flowering, so the plant can set buds for the following year. However, pruning can keep the perennial from growing too quickly and help it maintain optimal health and shape. Prune Bridal Wreath and Snowmound Spiraeas, Sherry's Place blog: Tips on snowball bushes, Royal Horticultural Society: Viburnum opulus, While there are over 150 varieties of viburnum, one of the most popular is known as the "snowball bush.". Snowball hydrangeas spread underground through short runners, so that old shrubs can take up quite a lot of space over the years. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. t is essential not to cut this before the arrival of spring blossoms. This usually isn’t necessary and can weaken your plant over time, so only try doing this every 3 or 4 years. At most, remove no more than ⅓ of the shoots. These showy shrubs bloom with large clusters of tiny white flowers, which resemble snowballs. This article has been viewed 85,706 times. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. I don't have to search through thousands of other sites.". wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Do the internal branches need thinning? With rejuvenation pruning, the old bush is replaced completely over a period of three to five years. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. This easy-going plant is … This must be done methodically. Some branches did not have blooms this year. Snowball Bush Facts. While there are over 150 varieties of viburnum, one of the most popular is known as the "snowball bush." You can trim the branches this way to maintain the snowball bush’s rounded shape or sculpt it into a hedge. Viburnum snowball bush is popular and easy to grow. For more tips from our Gardening co-author, including how to prune your Hydrangea snowball bush, read on! By maintaining the bush regularly, you likely won’t need to do this. Hopefully these few tips were helpful to y'all! Is the plant growing in an unsightly shape? Try to trim some of the old branches back every fall so your hydrangea always has fresh growth. Learn more about Viburnum plicatum. The most common is the European snowball bush, which is also called Roseum, according to DIY Network.There are also other types, such as the Japanese snowball bush, Chinese snowball bush, and the fragrant snowball bush. All you need is a garden tool like good shears, and a ladder, in case of overgrown bushes. Prune any branches clustered tightly together, especially if several cross each other. Approved. After flowering in May, the two snowball varieties Viburnum x carlcephalum and Viburnum carlesi can be given a rejuvenation pruning. How to Prune Snowball Bushes. Do I need to cut them back? It is important to leave the bottom of the shrub wider than the top of the shrub after you prune it or the bottom of the shrub will not get adequate light. Pruning back your Viburnum Snowball not only encourages new growth for a … The first thing to know about snowball bushes is that there are several different types. Prune the bush after the flowers bloom in spring. Some garden manuals say to cut off blooms after they die. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. This large shrub grows into an upright dense mound. Cut the branch back to healthy wood and carefully pull the unwanted branch out of the shrub. % of people told us that this article helped them. Trim your bush regularly to keep it neat and healthy. Snowball bushes, also known as Viburnum opulus \"Roseum,\" are tall ornamental shrubs that produce vibrant white blooms resembling their wintery namesake. To complete this project, you need bleach, a bowl of water, two clean cloths and pruning shears. Her past writing experience includes school news reporting, church drama, in-house business articles and a self-published mystery, "Duty Free Murder.". Although the snowball flowers bloom on old wood in viburnum plants, the oldest shoots produce weak flowers and are safe to remove. 1. Remember to only perform hard trimming in spring, after the bloom, to avoid damaging the bush’s buds the next year. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Another way of renewal pruning is to take out the oldest canes, no more than 1/3 of the total, every year. It keeps them safe from disease during the summer season. Prune Japanese snowball in early to mid-summer, after the bush finishes blooming. I have done it both ways but prefer to leave them alone. This is a good way to avoid a thicket of canes. Spring or summer pruning increases chances for infection and spread of the bacterial disease fireblight. Wait until after the flowers fade. After trimming back the plant, you may want to wait and watch it grow back. The snowball hydrangea is an upright shrub up to two metres high with numerous basic shoots. Or is it growing out of control in an area with inadequate space? Cut any branches back that show accelerated growth by sticking out above other limbs. The best time to do this is around May, after the flowers bloom, although it can be done anytime as needed. It saves me so much time. Planting, pruning and caring for it will certainly lead to magnificent flowers shaped like perfect snowballs that stand out against the beautiful dark green foliage. Usually, this means removing 1 to 3 shoots at a time. Prune only after the bush has finished blooming. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/difference-between-snowball-bush-hydrangea-52472.html, https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-prune-viburnums/, https://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/gardens/flowering-shrub-chinese-snowball-viburnum, https://ask.extension.org/questions/320239, https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=168, https://www.bhg.com/gardening/trees-shrubs-vines/shrubs/what-is-the-best-way-to-care-for-a-snowball-hydrangea-that-survived-winter-but-did-not-flower-in-the-summer/, http://ucanr.edu/datastoreFiles/268-86.pdf, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Prune-a-Snowball-Bush-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-a-Snowball-Bush-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Prune-a-Snowball-Bush-Step-1.jpg\/aid10077733-v4-728px-Prune-a-Snowball-Bush-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"