Destroy diseased and dead trimmings to prevent the spread of infection. Prevent the appearance of new water spouts by waiting until late summer to prune. Cut back the entire snowball bush to within 6 inches of the ground if it begins to look scraggly or unappealing with age. However, they perform best with occasional pruning to improve their shape and foliage production. If so, when? The berries of the species European cranberry bushes are edible, but have a bitter, acidic taste. Pruning to shape the viburnum shrub, should be done straight after flowering because these shrubs only flower on old wood. How and when should I prune viburnum opulus, guelder Rose? Producing masses of large long lasting white ‘snowball’ flowers in spring, V. opulus ‘roseum’ is a showy plant and like the species has nice autumn foliage to go with it. Make cuts at a … Trim viburnum back one third every year after the flowers are done blooming, but before the plant sets out seed pods. This is Secret Garden content Noteworthy Characteristics Viburnum opulus , commonly called European cranberry bush, is a highbush cranberry that is native to Europe, Asia and N. Africa. Signs of disease include cankers, slimy spots in the bark, split wood, or dead or dying leaves. Similar to the species but coarser, heavier branching, giving it a "masculine" look during the winter months. All Rights Reserved. Growing Snowball from stem cuttings To propagate cuttings take softwood cuttings from fully grown snowball trees, do this early in the morning. Remove water spouts, or suckers, from around the base of the snowball bush as they occur throughout the year. Prune the snowball bush in early summer to encourage fresh, new growth. When to Prune Viburnum 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. How to Trim Lilac, Rose of Sharon and Forsythia Bushes, Missouri Botanical Garden: Viburnum Opulus 'Roseum', Maryland Cooperative Extension: Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, University of Florida IFAS Extension: Disinfecting Pruning Tools, How to Prune Knockout Roses After Budding. [1] X Research source Deadheading, or cutting off the flowers, won’t harm viburnum. Prune limbs that are rubbing or crossed with hand pruners or lopping shears to prevent future damage to involved limbs. Red berries follow in early fall. Blooms midspring, bearing lace-cap flowers to 4 inches across. Wait until after the flowers fade. Snip off side shoots with a diameter less than 1/4 inch at their point of origin along the lead branches. Leaves look much like those of Viburnum opulus; they emerge reddish tinged, mature to dark green, turn yellow to red-purple in fall. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Can't get enough of the gorgeous snowball bush? The European cranberry bush (Viburnum opulus) is a deciduous multi-stem shrub. Remove damaged, dead or diseased limbs with lopping shears or hand pruners. This increases air circulation and encourages new growth. You might read that they need a lot of moisture, but in my experience and over the last few years of drought, they have done well with little water and mulch over the roots. How to prune viburnum popular Names: Guelder-Rose, water elder, cramp bark, snowball tree and European cranberry bush Viburnum opulus 'Roseum' - Common Snowball is a large deciduous specimen shrub that blooms heavily in the Spring. Check for dead or damaged branches and remove them as well. Viburnum can be grown as a shrub or a small tree, depending on the variety you choose and how you prune it. The European cranberry bush (Viburnum opulus) is a deciduous multi-stem shrub. Make cuts at a 30-degree angle at a bud or joint. The species grow 10 feet tall and wide. European cranberry bushes have an upright form, but larger varieties tend to spread with age. It isn’t really necessary to prune it except if it grows too large. Prune as needed immediately after flowering. Make the cuts perpendicular to the branch. Thin out old and weak limbs by cutting them at ground level with hand pruners or lopping shears. Once eastablished it will need little or no pruning. 'Roseum', is probably one of the most common ones. Note that blooming only occurs on growth from the previous year. Prune out any diseased, damaged or dead shoots using long-handled loppers or a saw if necessary And finally, thin out crowded shoots and any badly positioned ones that spoil the shrub’s appearance It is often used as hedging or specimen plantings and can be formed into tree form by topiary pruning. Shape and thin as needed but, keep in mind that you are removing this autumn's fruit. Plant guelder rose in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to full shade. Of course, much of viburnum pruning depends on the variety grown too. Viburnum opulus and Viburnum lantana - if they need pruning at all - can be kept under control, by cutting out 1 in 3 branches at near to ground level. Use hand pruners for limbs up to ½ inch in diameter and lopping shears for larger limbs. Cut the branches back 1 inch above a fork in the lead branches to preserve the shrub's natural shape. Pruning in March The winter snowball and the Guelder rose differ from other Viburnum varieties. Pruning Cranberry Viburnum Should I prune my dwarf cranberrybush viburnum? Remove debris from around shrubs. While there are over 150 varieties of viburnum, one of the most popular is known as the "snowball bush." Eliminate all dead or damaged branches as they appear during the year. European cranberry bushes have an upright form, but larger varieties tend to spread with age. Shred and compost healthy green trimmings. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. She currently works as a writer and copy editor. Viburnums are really tough plants. Shred and compost healthy green trimmings. Viburnum, includes Highbush Cranberry (Opulus and Sub S. Triloba), Nannyberry, Blackhaw, Doublefile, Korean Spice, Juddi, Arrowwood and Wayfaring Tree. They are used as specimens, in groups and in hedges. If you prune … Destroy diseased and dead trimmings to prevent the spread of infection. Prune as needed immediately after flowering. In many cases, pruning just after flowering but before the setting of seedpods is sufficient. Mulch in spring with a thick layer of well-rotted manure or leaf mould. Space the cuts evenly across the width of the viburnum. However, doing it isn’t necessary and prevents the plant from growing berries. When pruning any evergreen shrub (except old, overgrown shrubs, see below), aim to remove about one-third of older wood in total. Prune the snowball bush in early summer to encourage fresh, new growth. Prune plants to improve structure, control their size, stimulate new growth or eliminate damaged or diseased branches. Expect viburnum snowball bushes to blossom in May. 10 Oct, 2012 Answers Seaburngirl I used to have one and never really sussed it out so I resorted to pruning out a 1/3 every year in the spring. Her nearly 20 years of experience in horticulture informs her work, which has appeared in publications such as Mother Earth News. Use hand pruners for limbs up to ½ inch in diameter and lopping shears for larger limbs. Growing as wide as tall, maturing at 10'. The berries of the species European cranberry bushes are edible, but have a bitter, acidic taste. Use hedging shears to shape plants used in a hedge. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. If you like pruning, then when the flowers are finished at … Use hand pruners for limbs up to ½ inch in diameter and lopping shears for larger limbs. Wait until after the flowers fade. Thin out the center of the snowball bush to improve air circulation among the branches. Wait for the blooming of the guelder-rose to end if you wish to reduce or reshape the shrub. Prune the bush after the flowers bloom in spring. It grows well within U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 to 8, where it will reach a mature height of 8 to 12 feet with a 15-foot spread. Trim the foliage back evenly and smoothly to maintain the desired shape and form of the bush and hedge. European cranberry bushes have an upright form, but larger varieties tend to spread with age. Fruit is similar to that of Viburnum opulus but is used for preserves and jellies. Her previous jobs include reporter, photographer and editor for a weekly newspaper. Rinse them well and let them air dry before use. Do this each year, always cutting out the older branches of course, and you will have a steady supply of … You can easily satisfy your desires because seven different viburnum shrubs go by the name snowball bush. Cut off the branches at the base and discard the pruned branch into a green waste can rather than into a compost heap. Noteworthy Characteristics Viburnum opulus , commonly called European cranberry bush, is a highbush cranberry that is native to Europe, Asia and N. Africa. Perform this type of pruning no more than once every five years. Discard the pruned flower heads into a compost bin. The European cranberry bush (Viburnum opulus) is a deciduous multi-stem shrub. Very little pruning is required – simply trim to shape after flowering, taking care not to remove all spent blooms as these turn into beautiful red berries. Prune your snowball viburnum lightly throughout the growing season to harvest flowers and remove any dying, damaged or diseased foliage and branches. Trim any elongated or drooping limbs that spoil the shape of the shrub with lopping shears or hand pruners. The 7.6cm flower clusters are apple-green when they start and then change to white. Prune off the flower heads once the individual blossoms fade from pale pink to a dirty, light beige color. Viburnum opulus is also known as the Guelder Rose and European Cranberry bush and is probably best known for ‘roseum’ or ‘Snowball Tree’, a sterile cultivar which is cutting grown. Avoid planting extremely hot droughty or dry exposed, cold Dwarf varieties grow 1 to 3 feet tall, compact varieties grow 5 to 6 feet tall, and large varieties grow 10 to 13 feet tall. Remove debris from around shrubs. These shrubs should be pruned after they have bloomed. Cut them back to their point of origin. Otherwise, pruning viburnum is a chore you tackle at specific times in the life of the plant. European snowball bush, also known as Viburnum opulus 'Roseum', is probably one of the most common ones. Heavy pruning should only be done at this time since you can easily destroy next year’s flowers by removing old wood. Use clean, sharp secateurs and place all cuts at least a quarter inch above a leaf node or bud. European cranberry bushes bloom in late spring to early summer with white flowers. Use hedge pruners to shear bushes that are part of a hedge. Varieties of the European cranberry bushes have a better taste than the species. Viburnum opulus - 'Sterile' (Guelder Rose): Flourishing in full sun or part shade, viburnum's will tolerate most soils other than very wet soils, being well suited to chalk soils. Viburnum opulus 'Notcutt' Aka V. opulus 'Notcutt's Variety'. Snip the stem off 1/4 inch above a pair of leaves. * Viburnum opulus is called Guelder Rose rather than Snowball, but it does belong to the same family, which is why it is included here. Butterflies love their flowers and birds love Varieties of the European cranberry bushes have a better taste than the species. For best results grow Viburnum opulus in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to full shade. You can prune European cranberry bushes immediately after flowering, which will decrease the number of berries, or after the fruit falls from the bush in early winter. Some varieties have yellow berries. Soak a pair of sharp, sturdy pruning shears in the solution for approximately five minutes to sanitize them. They can be deciduous, evergreen or semi-evergreen, depending on species. With young shrubs, you can guide their growth by choosing an attractive upright stem and then pinching out some side shoots to create a balanced, open plant. Melody Lee holds a degree in landscape design, is a Florida Master Gardener, and has more than 30 years of gardening experience. Use a clean saw to remove the older branches if the pruning shears are too small. Find our advice on pruning shrubs. Attaining tree size at 12' by 12', clusters of tiny white flowers resembling snowballs cover the plant in spring. When And How To Prune Viburnum Shrubs And Bushes Posted by Brent Wilson on 8/31/2016 to Pruning Tips 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. Samantha McMullen began writing professionally in 2001. Commonly called snowball bush, Viburnum opulus "Roseum" is a deciduous shrub cultivar prized for its round, white flower clusters and spreading growth habit. Clean your pruning shears carefully afterward to prevent the spread of disease. Viburnum Opulus or Snowball Viburnum Another trendy bush, snowball viburnum is easy to manage and grows into a dense mound. Viburnum pruning is not an annual task, unless you’re growing a young plant that you’re pruning to a tree shape. 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