Sweet Viburnum Care Growing Sweet Viburnum Bushes

The tree thrives in either full sun or partial shade, and accepts almost any type of soil, including clay and sand, as long as it drains well. It does well in both acidic and alkaline soil. On the other hand, ideal sweet viburnum growing conditions do not include salty soil. It also has low aerosol salt tolerance.

Is Sweet viburnum fast growing?

The Sweet Viburnum growth rate is also why it's a favorite – it can grow 1-2 feet per year. The Sweet Viburnum height can grow very large – up to 25-30 feet tall and 15-25 feet wide at mature size making it a nice privacy hedge or windbreak.

What is the best fertilizer for viburnum?

Blood meal is a smart choice to apply in late winter or spring, as it breaks down rapidly to sweeten the soil for flowering. Later, alfalfa meal, compost, rotted manures and fish emulsion are all safe choices for fertilizing viburnums.

How do you prune a sweet viburnum?

A: Sweet viburnum, Viburnum odoratissimum, grows plenty fast whether it has flowers or you prune them off. Take advantage of the fragrant blossoms, then prune. Cutting the internal suckers back halfway is a great way to help fill in the plant. And last but not least, when you prune shoots, always cut back to a leaf.

When should I cut back viburnum?

If you're pruning viburnums to restrain or shape their growth, the timing for when to prune viburnum is right after flowering. Viburnums typically form their flower buds for the following year during the summer after flowering. If you wait to prune viburnums in fall or early spring, you risk cutting off flower buds.

Is Sweet viburnum poisonous to dogs?

The ASPCA's Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List – Dogs under "Plants Non-Toxic to Dogs" lists blackhaw or sweet viburnum (Viburnum lentago) as being safe, no viburnum species are listed under "Plants Toxic to Dogs".

How far apart should I plant sweet viburnum?

Plant sweet viburnum shrubs 5 feet from each other, as measured from center to center, to form a thick hedge. If you are going to let the shrubs grow to their maximum size, space them 6 or 7 feet apart.

Can you overwater viburnum?

In average garden soil you should not have to water your newly planted Viburnum every day. ... Shrubs planted during the winter dormant season, when plants are not actively growing and evaporation is much slower, will require much less water. So, be extra careful not to overwater during winter!

How can I make my viburnum grow faster?

Giving your viburnum proper care can maximize its growth. Most members of the genus prefer slightly acidic soil, with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.5. Add organic matter around the roots with a mulch of 2 to 3 inches of tree bark or 4 to 6 inches of pine straw.

What looks good with viburnum?

Choose companion plants with contrasting foliage, such as evergreen ferns. (Or, for a winter garden, pair with other early bloomers like crocuses and pansies.) Because viburnum doesn't self-pollinate regularly, plant several viburnum shrubs near each other.

Can viburnum be cut back hard?

Viburnums generally require very little pruning, but hard pruning may be necessary if the growing area is too small for the species or if the plant is old and lackluster.

Can you shape 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.

How often do you water sweet viburnum?

How to Water Viburnums. When you first plant viburnums, water every 1 or 2 days, whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Hold the hose near the root ball and make sure the root zone is thoroughly soaked at each watering. You'll be able to gradually increase the days between watering as the plants establish roots.

Does viburnum need pruning?

On average, viburnum shrubs need relatively little pruning. However, it never hurts to practice occasional viburnum pruning each year to maintain shape and overall beauty.

Can you keep viburnum small?

Viburnums can be cut back hard in late winter or early spring to keep compact. When pruning any shrub, though, the general rule of thumb is not to remove more than 1/3 of its growth.

How do I prune an overgrown viburnum?

Immediately after it flowers next spring, remove dead stems and suckers, and prune out one-third of the oldest stems. Continue removing the oldest stems each spring until the plant has an attractive and natural-looking shape.

Does Viburnum make a good hedge?

Viburnum, vigorous and hardy, should be on every list of the top shrubs for hedges. All viburnum shrubs are easy care, and some have fragrant spring flowers. Creating a viburnum hedge isn't very difficult.

Will sweet viburnum grow in shade?

The tree thrives in either full sun or partial shade, and accepts almost any type of soil, including clay and sand, as long as it drains well. It does well in both acidic and alkaline soil. On the other hand, ideal sweet viburnum growing conditions do not include salty soil.

Is Lavender toxic to dogs?

Lavender, the plant, does contain a small amount of a compound called linalool, which is toxic to both dogs and cats. The linalool is found in such small concentrations, however, that this is rarely an issue. Problems arise only if a dog ingests a very large quantity of lavender.

How wide does sweet viburnum grow?

Often used as a screen or clipped hedge, its dense, spreading, evergreen habit makes Sweet Viburnum suitable for use as a small tree, reaching 25 to 30 feet tall and wide at maturity, with a dense, multibranched, rounded canopy.

When should you plant viburnum?

Plant in spring or fall. Viburnums aren't picky about soil, but they generally do best in dirt that's rich and well-drained. If your soil is poor, add organic material like compost when you plant the tree. Viburnum generally make the most blooms and berries in full sun, but some varieties can tolerate light shade.

How close to a fence can I plant a hedge?

How far from a wall or fence can I plant them? For Mixed/Traditional hedging 45cm - 60cm (18-24 inches) is adequate. If your planning to grow a tall hedge then slightly more space will be required.