Snowball bush is known as a round white flower that blooms year after year. What many people don't realize is, there are several different plants that are collectively called snowball bush. Snowball bush viburnum blooms in spring, while snowball bush hydrangea blooms in fall. Depending on which variety you have, make slight adjustments to your regular pruning to help the plant thrive.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Pruning Snowball Bush Viburnum
Step 1. Prune the shrub once the flowers bloom in spring
Snowball bush viburnum will bloom in May. Heavy pruning should only be done at this time as you can easily damage the buds that will bloom next year by removing the old wood.
Cutting off wilted flowers will not damage the viburnum. Even so, you don't need to do this because it can prevent the plant from bearing fruit
Step 2. Cut the oldest branch near ground level
The oldest branches are the fattest and most woody. These branches may have secondary shoots or peeling bark, making them easy to spot. Use clean, sharp shears and cut as close to the ground as possible to remove the branches.
- Maximum, cut no more than branch. Usually, this means removing 1 to 3 branches in one pruning.
- Leave the thinnest and youngest branches growing from the base of the plant. This will renew your viburnum plant.
- Although the viburnum plant can still grow flowers from old wood, the oldest branches will produce weak flowers and are better cut off.
Step 3. Trim the edges of the clump to form a plant if necessary
Viburnum will usually grow well if left alone. So you don't need to trim them regularly. If a clump of viburnum grows too large or begins to spread far from its original location in the yard, use shears to reduce the size of the clump. Cut the branches as needed.
- Remember, do heavy pruning only in the spring after the plant blooms so that the buds that will bloom next year are not damaged.
- You can prune viburnum branches in this way to maintain the round shape of the snowball bush or shape it into a living fence.
Step 4. Reduce the clump height by about if the plants have grown too tall
Snowball bush viburnum clumps grow relatively quickly and may be too tall or overcrowded. If the clump needs serious trimming, use shears to trim the shoots and branches. You can also trim the larger and older shoots to thin the plant.
- The best time to do this is around May after the flowers have bloomed, although you can prune the plant any time you need it.
- After cutting snowball bush viburnum, wait and watch the plant grow back. Only then can you see where the branches need to be trimmed.
- If the clumps are cared for regularly, you will likely not need to do this.
Step 5. Prune off damaged branches so that new shoots grow all year round
Inspect the snowball bush year-round for broken or rotting branches. Cut the damaged part with sharp cutting shears. If possible, cut just above the knuckle of the stem, where new leaves and branches grow from the old stem.
This regular pruning should be done year-round to keep the snowball bush healthy and thriving
Method 2 of 2: Caring For Snowball Bush Hydrangeas
Step 1. Prune snowball hydrangeas (white hydrangeas) after the first frosts in fall or winter
Wait for the first snow to fall where you are. This happens when the temperature reaches 0 °C and the ground freezes. Snowball hydrangea is about to enter a period of dormancy. So you can do some major pruning during this time.
Hydrangeas flower on new logs
Step 2. Prune all branches to about 25 cm
Leave each branch about 10-25 cm. Use clean cutting shears to trim the branches neatly. The shorter stems will produce larger, stronger round white flowers the following flowering season.
- You can prune snowball hydrangeas short every year. However, this is usually unnecessary and will weaken the plant over time. So, just do it every 3 or 4 years.
- Hydrangea flower buds usually do not need to be removed because they will be cut off when trimming the stems.
Step 3. Cut the old branches on the book
Follow the branch to the fattening point, where the shoot begins. Cut off a large, woody branch just above this point. This kind of pruning will stimulate the plant to grow new branches which can be useful if the hydrangea clump looks too sparse or uneven.
Prune some old branches each fall so that the snowball hydrangea always has new shoots
Step 4. Remove damaged branches throughout the year
Check hydrangeas frequently for broken or rotting branches. Also check for twisted or weak branches. Cut them whenever you find them to keep the plant healthy.
With regular care, you can reduce the number of cuts that have to be made in the fall
Tips
- The clump of viburnum grows at least 2 meters in height, is generally taller than the clump of hydrangea and produces larger flowers.
- Hydrangea flowers will bloom on the stems for about 2 months, longer than viburnum flowers.
- Prune the flower clumps regularly to keep the plants neat and healthy.
