No matter how many plants are in a garden, if there’s a snowball viburnum, that’s all you’ll notice. It’s simply something about those clusters of white blossoms that leaves everyone speechless.
That’s why gardeners put a lot of effort into maintaining the plant so that it can bloom profusely. I didn’t have much luck with my snowball viburnum at the beginning and the only thing to blame was my poor pruning habit.
Honestly, the plant looks like a hydrangea and I thought the pruning needs were the same. Well, it wasn’t my brightest moment and my cute snowball bush showed me how wrong I was by producing almost no flowers.
The thing is that these plants aren’t fussy over growing conditions, but that definitely doesn’t refer to pruning. The timing and technique you use will affect the further development of your snowball viburnum.
So, what’s the secret formula? Hold on tight, because you’re about to learn exactly how and when to prune your snowball viburnum and get the most spectacular bloom display you could ever imagine!
But First, Let’s See Why You Shouldn’t Skip Pruning Your Snowball Viburnum
You know what my first question was when I messed up pruning my snowball viburnum? Can I skip it, in general?
Unfortunately, things don’t go that way, and pruning matters as much as other parts of plant care.
The good news is that you don’t need to prune this shrub every year, but I don’t recommend making any longer pauses.
Why? One of the reasons why growers prune is to control the shape and size of their plants. Snowball viburnum is one of the best low-maintenance hedging plants, so trimming it for this reason is recommended.
If you’re satisfied with the appearance of your snowball bush, that still doesn’t mean you can skip pruning.
Selectively cutting off branches will improve air circulation within the plant, which means it will be less susceptible to diseases.
Plus, you’ll be rewarded with larger blossoms and, when it comes to snowball viburnum, you don’t want to miss that opportunity.
Yes, your bush will produce fewer blooms, but the ones it produces will be so large you won’t even think of the numbers.
So what’s it gonna be? To prune or not to prune? Sticking to the first option is actually your secret weapon!
This Is How You Prune It For Best Results
And now to the most important part: how to prune! The first thing you need to do is prepare your pruning tools. Make sure they’re sharp enough and don’t forget to clean them to avoid harming your snowball viburnum.
If you have branches that are approximately an inch thick, hand pruners will do the job. For thicker branches, you’ll probably need loppers.
I disinfect my cutting tools with 70% alcohol solution; I got a 32 fl oz bottle for about $2 at Walmart.
If you’re afraid your snowball bush has some disease, sanitize the blades between each cut. I do this even if my plant is completely healthy. Better safe than sorry!
When pruning, you need to aim for a 45-degree angle and make sure you cut approximately ¼ of an inch above the node.
Never cut all the way down to the base of the snowball viburnum plant! The secret lies in making smaller cuts, especially on the newest growth.
And Don’t Forget That Timing Is Everything!
With the right technique, you’re about halfway to a healthy and happy snowball viburnum! The missing piece of the puzzle is learning when exactly to prune.
Always prune your snowball viburnum after it finishes flowering!
Just like other spring-flowering shrubs, this plant produces blossoms on old wood. If you prune before the season, you risk removing the buds that should open when spring arrives.
Another way to keep your snowball viburnum in good condition is to cut off blossoms before they fade. Nothing looks more beautiful in flower arrangements than snowball-like blossoms!
That’s it! Now that you’re armed with know-how, it’s time to get out there and put your pruning skills to work!