Regular maintenance will keep these fast-growing shrubs in good shape
Viburnums ( Viburnumspp . and cvs . , Zones 2–9 ) are a genus of approximately 150 woody shrubs prized for their delicate , early - season blossom and bright fall yield . Some , like smooth witherod ( V. nudum , Zones 5–9 ) , also brag charismatic fall foliage . They are lovely for adding multiseason body structure to a landscape and have few insect or disease trouble . They are fast - growing , with the vast majority of useable cultivar capable to reach a altitude and width of 8 feet within just a few long time . contrive for their expect size is critical when sit viburnums in your landscape .
If left to its own devices , a viburnum can become a rangy , unwieldy mass that eclipse the plant ’s attractive feature film . most all species of genus Viburnum welfare from both structural pruning that strengthen architecture , and aesthetic pruning that enhances their natural habit . No matter which species you choose from this various genus , thoughtful pruning techniques will conserve your genus Viburnum for many years to come .
Your pruning scheme will depend on the plant life ’s age . I strongly recommend rail a young plant by set out the pruning cycle at planting time . A light snip to decimate obvious defects will better the shrub ’s computer architecture instantly . The focal point is on the interior of the plant life , and the destination is to create a unchanging framework that will help oneself the flora withstand potentiallydamaging forces of nature such as wind , snow , and ice-skating rink . Healthy architecture is the key to a shrub ’s specialty .
For more ripe specimens , your pruning objectives will be different . Often , old genus Viburnum are at jeopardy of stem breakage due to overextended stems that are heavily angle toward the ground . Some of these broad stem should be pruned away at the base , and others should be reduce to concentrate the load at offshoot summit . A skilled pruner will strategize these cut to create a shrub composed of multiple multiplication of branches . Removing a few sometime bow and provide younger stems to thrive is a method you’re able to expend to continuously rejuvenate many multistemmed shrubs , including viburnums . For species that are prone to sending up suckers from the plant ’s base , be indisputable to keep on some of the young suckers to regenerate the bush as it matures .
Viburnums can be pruned during their torpid season ( tardy wintertime ) and/or after they bloom in former summer . All produce flower bud starting in late summertime that will bloom the following bounce . If live branches are removed during that window , those undercut will also remove likely flowers . If you wait to prune until just after the flower slice , you will miss out on some colourful autumn drupes . rest is key . If you make judicious , well - contrive cut , your pruning will wreak out for the greater good of the genus Viburnum even if some of its decorative display is give .
8 Easy Steps for Pruning Viburnums
organise your pruning process by following these step . Keep in thinker that selective pruning is an iterative physical process . You may recall to earlier step in the process until you are satisfied with your pruning project .
Step 1: Assess the state of the shrub
take the air back at least 10 feet , and encircle around the viburnum to observe it from every vantage point . How is it doing overall ? Is it boom or struggling ? Is there a heap of dead wood ? Does it call for to be pulled away from a path , a construction , or another plant ? How are its shape and density ? By answer these enquiry , you ’ll clarify your goals for this pruning project .
You ’ll also desire to name the species and its natural habit . Most viburnums have a voiced , vaselike form , but an of import exception is doublefile genus Viburnum ( V. plicatumf.tomentosum , Zones 4–8 ) , which has a distinct , tiered habit ( see “ Doublefile genus Viburnum , the outstanding exception , ” below ) . All pruning cut should be in concert with the plant ’s innate habit .
Crouch down at the plant ’s base and examine the fore where they go forth from the ground . Note any drained branch . Plan your employment , start from the base of the bush and shape through its midriff and outward to the branch tips . Keep your focus on the shrub ’s interior framework .
Step 2: Remove dead, diseased, and broken wood first
Take these branch out by trace each one back to a branch union and cut it at the branch pinch . Ensure that you remove all numb subdivision before proceed to the next step .
Step 3: Begin structural pruning by visualizing the viburnum from above
I think of this as “ the quarter-circle method acting . ” The trick is to figure the circular or ellipse - shaped step of the shrub as it would look from above and then to disunite it into four section that meet at the core . focus on the shrub ’s base , bet for stems that come forth from the ground in one quadrant but extend into a different quadrant . count off these twisting stems at ground degree .
Next , raise your focus to the plant ’s middle , again looking for stems that cross through the midplane into another quadrant . Consider cutting these stem back to a offshoot trade union at the dog collar . The end is to create a more organized , balanced canopy by slim down thwart branches .
Doublefile viburnum, the great exception
do redundant carefulness when pruning doublefile genus Viburnum . Their rude habit is tiered , which adds a uniquely graceful , superimposed mannequin to the landscape . Most of your efforts should centre on polish off perpendicular suckers and water sprouts that cut off the tiered offset transcription . For this species , I advocate pruning no more than 15 % to 20 % of its live branches . Any hard pruning will lead in the inordinate production of body of water sprouts and all-day sucker .
Step 4: Step back frequently to refocus
After every few cuts , observe your genus Viburnum from multiple vantage gunpoint at least 10 feet away , noting how your pruning has changed the shrub ’s chassis and density . Do any branch seem out of home ? Where is there crowding ? Which branches identified in tone 1 have not been addressed ? Plan your next cuts while stand at a aloofness .
Step 5: Focus on shape and structure
Continue pruning live woodwind instrument using removalcuts at branch pinch . When removing live Sir Henry Wood , consider of pruning as sculpt . If you take out a tall , vertical base that take far above the rest of the canopy ( above left ) , take yourself to remove it deeply inside the bush , back at a branch trade union ( above mighty ) . The goal is to create a uniform but interesting shape that enhances the genus Viburnum ’s rude substance abuse .
Step 6: Thin and shape the upper canopy
Shift your focus toward the branch tips , reconnoitre for intertwined subdivision and overly slow areas . Your cuts should still primarily be made back at the branch collars , though you may use heading cuts sparingly at this level . Remember that header slice stimulate growth at the leaf node . Step back several times during this stage of canopy pruning . As you reassess your viburnum ’s develop form , control that you are thinning the canopy to allow dappled sun to drop down into the base , perk up new growth . Your cut should also allow melody to circulate through the offshoot tiers . If the basis is still completely shaded , keep pruning .
Be on the lookout for pests in every season
Some structural pruning can be done during the dormant season , and this is also a good time to scout for viburnum leaf beetles ’ eggs - laying sites . Viburnum foliage beetles can heavily defoliate sure coinage , andpruning out and disposing of the beetles ’ egg mass in late wintertime will decrease the population of larvae for the derive season .
Step 7:Reduce the length of overextended branches
Go back to the overall architecture of the shrub and your destination of create a strong , opened fabric . distinguish any overextended large branch that are likely to break under snow or ice loads . Use reduction cuts to shorten these branches . When cut a turgid - diam branch back to a smaller - diameter branch at the arrest , verify the remaining ramification is at least one - third the diameter of the larger offshoot being removed .
Step 8:Know when to stop
Stepping back ofttimes and refocusing has made every cut more effective and purposeful , and it will ensure that you do n’t go too far . Your job is done once you ’ve met the goal for better the architecture and esthetics of your viburnum that you describe in step 1 . A general principle is to prune no more than 25 % of the live branches . The grown lesson of pruning is knowing when to walk away .
Jen Kettell is an arborist and horticulturist and the owner of Radiant Leaf Consulting , a firm base in Nattik , Massachusetts , that provide education to green - manufacture professionals and householder .
Photos , except where noted : Carol Collins
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A strong, open structureis one of the goals to aim for when pruning a multistemmed shrub like this viburnum. Judicious cuts allow light to penetrate the canopy and reach the inside of the plant.
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Illustration: Jessica Daigle
Illustration: Jessica Daigle
Photo: courtesy of Paul Weston–Cornell University via bugwood.org
