Caring for viburnum starts with understanding what helps this hardy shrub stay healthy all year. Viburnums don’t need constant attention, but a little care of viburnum goes a long way. With the right watering, pruning, and feeding routine, your viburnum will reward you with rich green leaves and beautiful blooms each season.
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Viburnum care is essential for maintaining these beautiful shrubs in your garden. While viburnums are relatively low-maintenance, caring for viburnum properly will ensure they thrive. From watering and fertilizing to pruning and mulching, following simple viburnum plant care guidelines can help keep your viburnum healthy and vibrant throughout the seasons.
Viburnum Watering
Viburnums do not usually need watering except when they're first planted, in time of drought, or in late fall before the ground freezes for the winter. If you do water, give your plants 1 gallon of water twice a week or run your drip irrigation system or sprinkler for 20 to 30 minutes twice a week. Older shrubs need watering only during severe drought.
To better understand viburnum water needs, remember that younger plants require more consistent moisture while they establish strong roots. Deep watering once or twice a week helps reach the root zone, but allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Once established, viburnum water requirements drop, mature shrubs need water only in extended dry spells.
Regular viburnum watering keeps foliage healthy and prevents stress during summer heat. Always check soil moisture before watering to avoid soggy conditions, which can cause root rot. A layer of mulch helps hold moisture in and reduces how often you’ll need to water.
When planning overall viburnum care and pruning, consider watering in the morning so leaves dry before nightfall, reducing the chance of fungal issues. For a quick check on how often to water viburnum, once-a-week deep watering is usually enough in warm months unless rain provides it naturally.
For more information see file on About Watering Equipment.
Fertilizer for
viburnum
These shrubs need only one yearly application of bagged sludge, a granular fertilizer with a slow release form of nitrogen, or compost. In the fall, spread a viburnum fertilizer 10-10-10 on the soil to 1-1/2 feet beyond the tips of the branches (drip line). You may wish to supplement the fall feeding with 2 or 3 monthly snacks in late spring and early summer. Use a light side dressing of granular fertilizer or apply a foliar spray of dilute liquid fertilizer over all the leaves of the plant.
When fertilizing viburnum, always water deeply afterward to help nutrients reach the roots. For those growing a viburnum hedge, use a 10-10-10 fertilizer or similar balanced formula to encourage even growth and full coverage.
When it comes to viburnum care, applying a yearly application of a slow-release viburnum fertilizer ensures healthy growth. Regular feeding during late spring and early summer is another key aspect of caring for viburnum, promoting vigorous blooms and strong shrubs.
To understand how to fertilize viburnum, scatter fertilizer evenly around the drip line, keeping it away from the trunk, and rake it lightly into the soil. Choose the best fertilizer for viburnum shrubs based on your soil type, compost for rich soils or a balanced slow-release fertilizer for sandy or clay-heavy ground.
If you’re wondering what fertilizer for viburnum works best, opt for one with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Should I fertilize viburnum? Yes, once a year in spring or fall is usually enough to keep shrubs strong and flowering beautifully.
For more information see file About Fertilizers.
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Mulching
Viburnums do best when they have a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch over their root zone all season long. Keep the mulch about 6 inches away from the trunk to avoid decay and rodent damage. Use chopped leaves, pine needles or wood chips to mulch viburnum. Avoid mulching with un-chopped leaves because they mat together, preventing water from getting into the soil. Peat moss makes poor mulch, because it draws water from the soil like a wick and is difficult to rewet when dry.
For more information see file on Using Mulch.
Pruning/Grooming
Healthy specimens rarely need pruning. Prune Viburnums after flowering only if pruning is necessary for shaping. Old or crowded plants may be thinned and shortened to bring flowers to eye level. After 4 to 5 years you may remove 1/3 of the oldest stems, and thereafter prune every 2 or 3 years. For a more formal effect, it is possible to train Viburnums to a single trunk. Choose the healthiest and most upright stem when young and keep side shoots pinched until it reaches the height you want. Then allow the plant to branch from the top.
For more information see files on Pruning Shrubs and Choosing Pruning Tools
By understanding the fundamentals of viburnum care, including watering, fertilizing, and pruning, you'll find that caring for viburnum becomes a simple and fulfilling part of your gardening routine.
Common FAQs about Caring for Viburnum
What is the best fertilizer for viburnum?
The best fertilizer for viburnum is a slow-release, balanced formula. Use products like Espoma Plant-Tone, Sunniland 6-6-6, or Osmocote to provide essential nutrients. Apply fertilizer at least two to three times during the growing season, with the first application in early spring to promote healthy blooms. If your soil is alkaline, opt for an acidified fertilizer, and consider mulching with peat moss around the root zone to help acidify the soil.
When to fertilize viburnum?
The best time to fertilize viburnum is in early spring, just before new growth begins, and again in late fall, after the leaves drop. Early spring fertilization encourages strong blooms and foliage as the threat of frost passes. Late fall fertilization supports root growth and prepares the plant for winter. Avoid fertilizing in late summer or early fall, as this can promote tender new growth vulnerable to frost damage.
For fertilization, use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20, or organic options like Espoma’s Holly Tone. Apply the fertilizer evenly around the base of the plant, ensuring it doesn't touch the trunk, and water it in well. Follow package instructions for the right amount.
What are the water requirements for viburnum?
Viburnums prefer moist, well-drained soil but do not tolerate waterlogged conditions. Newly planted viburnums require frequent watering, about every 1-2 days when the top inch of soil is dry. Established viburnums are more drought-tolerant and generally need watering once a week or more often during dry spells. Always water deeply at the base of the plant to ensure the root zone is well-soaked.
For best results, water in the morning to allow the leaves to dry before nightfall and apply mulch around the base to help retain moisture. If your viburnum shows signs of underwatering, like droopy or greyish leaves, increase watering frequency. Established viburnums are especially drought-tolerant, such as Viburnum tinus and Viburnum odoratissimum, but always adjust watering based on weather conditions.
How do I do viburnum pruning?
Pruning viburnum is essential for maintaining its shape and health. Generally, viburnums need light pruning after flowering to remove spent blossoms, and more extensive pruning in late winter or early spring to maintain structure and promote healthy growth. Follow these steps to prune your viburnum effectively:
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After Flowering:
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Lightly prune spent flowers and any branches that spoil the shape of the shrub.
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Maintain the overall shape of the plant.
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Late Winter/Early Spring:
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For more significant pruning, cut back about a third of the plant’s branches each year.
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Remove old, damaged, or crowded branches to improve air circulation and keep the shrub open.
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Suckers:
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Remove suckers (new shoots emerging from the ground) during the growing season.
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Pruning Techniques:
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Maintenance Pruning: Cut back branches just above a healthy leaf node or bud to encourage new growth.
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Hard Pruning (if necessary): If the plant has become overgrown, cut it back harder to rejuvenate it.
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For specific types like Shasta Viburnum, focus on removing dead or crossing branches while preserving the horizontal structure.
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Special Types:
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Doublefile Viburnum: Remove vertical suckers and water sprouts to preserve its tiered structure.
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Cane-Growing Viburnums: Remove the oldest stems at ground level and maintain random, natural pruning patterns.
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By understanding the basics of viburnum pruning, you can keep your plants looking beautiful and healthy year after year.
When to prune viburnum?
Prune viburnum right after it finishes flowering in late spring or early summer. Most types bloom on old wood, so pruning later can remove next year’s buds. For overgrown shrubs, hard pruning in early spring helps them regrow, but you may lose blooms that year. Always remove dead or damaged branches first.
Where is the best place to plant a viburnum?
Viburnums thrive in full sun but can also grow well in light to partial shade. They prefer moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil with a pH level between 5.6 to 6.6. For optimal growth, ensure the site has good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases. Most viburnums will perform well with these conditions, offering vibrant blooms year-round.
Conclusion
With steady care, viburnum shrubs can stay lush and strong for many years. Keep up with watering, pruning, and mulching, and your garden will thank you every spring. If you’d like more easy care tips like these, check out our other plant care guides
