SHRUBS > VIBURNUM > PRUNING
Do you like the sound of a vigorous, hardy, fragrant, low-maintenance bush offering an array of choices in size, blooming season, foliage type and berry colour?
You are viewing: When To Prune A Viburnum
If you do, a viburnum is right for you.
There are so many types of viburnums that vary from small shrubs that are a mere few centimetres high to large specimens that reach nearly 4m in height – with spreads to match.
Although virtually all viburnums need next to no pruning, most varieties can tolerate hard pruning.
There are 3 main reasons why you might prune viburnum, which are:
- For maintenance.
- For annual shaping.
- For renovation.
Underneath, I have outlined these 3 styles of pruning in more detail and identified the species or hybrid groups that should be pruned in a particular style.
Learn more about pruning viburnum below.
When To Prune Viburnum
“Pruning of viburnums is something that one should avoid by all means,” shares Gary Ladman from Classic Viburnums.
“There are enough viburnums available that you should be able to find one that fits the site rather than pruning to make it fit.
“Another consideration is that viburnums flower on two-year-old wood.
“With continuous pruning, the majority of your branches will consist of one-year wood, resulting in a lack of or less flowering.”
However, if you have to prune, it is possible.
The main rule when it comes to pruning viburnum is that most regular styles of pruning should be done immediately after the flowering season is over.
This is because viburnum forms buds on the previous season’s growth and not on the current season’s growth, so if you delay pruning to a favourable season, it would be too late, as the buds will have already formed.
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Be aware that the drawback to pruning immediately after flowering is that you will lose some quantity of colourful berries, for which many viburnum varieties are deservedly prized.
1) Pruning For Maintenance
Pruning V. plicatum, V. × juddii and their respective cultivars should be limited to only this type of pruning.
As a general rule, V. carlesii, V. tinus, V. opulus, V. davidii and their cultivars should also be pruned in this style, but they may be hard pruned as and when necessary.
All other variety groups may, of course, be pruned in this fashion in addition to the style of pruning described for them.
Dead, damaged, or diseased branches should be pruned.
This is the only type of pruning that may be done at any time of the year.
Soon after the flowering season, trim, rather than prune, what few overly long, untidy or protruding stems there may be.
Cut them just above a node.
2) Annual Pruning
An annual prune is beneficial for V. farreri, V. × bodnantense, V. tinus, V. rhytidophyllum and their respective cultivars.
These are especially strong-growing and vigorous shrubs and, therefore, are more likely to get out of shape, outgrow their space or become overgrown compared with other viburnum types.
Take either or both of the following steps as appropriate soon after the flowering season is over.
Trim branches to restrict the shrub from growing out of its allocated space and also to maintain a pleasing shape.
Prune up to 1/3 of the branches to 30-50% of their lengths using pruning shears, making the cuts just above a node.
When trimming, be mindful that withered blooms will form berries, so you may wish to pick and choose the branches accordingly.
The second step is to prune up to 1/3 of the oldest, most unproductive stems by cutting them at the base.
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Use a pruning saw or anvil loppers as appropriate.
3) Pruning For Renovation
Many viburnum species and their respective cultivars may be hard pruned to renovate them if required.
These are V. farreri, V. opulus, V. davidii, V. carlesii, V. tinus, V. × bodnantense and their respective cultivars.
If any of these varieties of viburnums are hopelessly overgrown, unkempt or have an abundance of lanky, straggly stems, it may be hard pruned to regenerate it.
V. opulus, V. davidii and their respective cultivars respond especially well to this style of pruning.
Renovation pruning is a 2-year process.
Unlike other types of pruning, renovation pruning should be done in spring.
The deciduous varieties, such as V. opulus and V. farreri, should be pruned in February to March, whilst the evergreen ones, such as V. davidii and V. tinus are best pruned in March or April.
Using a pruning saw or anvil loppers, simply cut back about half the stems to about 20cm from the ground.
Do not prune stems from one side or another as the shrub will look unsightly after pruning.
Instead, pick and choose stems so as to minimise the negative aesthetic impact.
Also, it is desirable to prune a greater number of stems from the interior or centre of the shrub in the first year to reset it for an ultimately pleasing and aesthetic shape.
Water well after pruning and be sure that the plant’s watering needs throughout the year are met.
Lightly feed the shrub with a balanced or nitrogen-oriented fertiliser after pruning.
The following year, cut back the other half of the branches to about 20cm from the ground.
Follow the same watering and feeding guidelines as you did in the first year.
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