When should you cut back a snowball bush?
Your snowball viburnum blooms in the Spring, so it is best to prune it right after it flowers. Prune it any later, and you’ll be cutting off next year’s flowers. You don’t need to cut back hydrangeas. If left to their own devices, hydrangeas will die back in the winter and grow again in the spring. However, if they are not pruned or cut back, at some point, the branches will begin to become a mess of last year’s wood and this year’s wood.New wood hydrangeas (panicle and smooth varieties) should be pruned when dormant in early winter, but fall pruning can be done to remove dried blooms and help shape the plant. Old wood hydrangeas (mophead and oakleaf) should only be pruned immediately after flowering in the spring and summer.As Paul explains, the ideal time to trim a hydrangea largely depends on its type, although autumn is never the right time to prune these ostentatious blooms. This is because most hydrangeas already have new flower buds on their stems. By cutting them back now, you would remove the buds and spoil next season’s blooms.Prune Snowball Hydrangea in Late Winter Pruning in late spring or early summer following the appearance of new growth results in potential flower bud removal. It’s best to prune your snowball hydrangea to the ground in late winter so strong new stems will grow and produce plenty of flower buds the following summer.
When to prune snowball bush rhs?
After flowering prune established specimens, removing up to one in five of the oldest and weakest branches to the base. For this species, I recommend pruning no more than 15% to 20% of its live branches. Any hard pruning will result in the excessive production of water sprouts and suckers.
How to care for a snowball bush?
Like most viburnums, snowball should have six hours of full sun in order to flower best. It is tough and adaptable and will tolerate a wide array of soil types. Once established, it has great drought tolerance. Aphids are a serious pest of new growth and cause much deformity of new leaves. Snowball Bushes grow 1 to 2 feet per year. Most Viburnums grow from 1 to more than 2 feet per year, but dwarf varieties will grow slower. These bushes tend to grow slower in cool climates and faster in warm regions.
How do you rejuvenate a snowball bush?
Pruning Chinese Snowball Viburnum Be sure to prune after the flowers have died in the early summer. Do this every 3 to 5 years to rejuvenate the plant. Remove the oldest and fattest stems all the way to the ground, which will allow the younger stems to produce the best looking flowers. Avoid pruning shrubs in winter that will bloom in spring. Those buds live through the winter, ready to open in spring. If you prune these plants in winter, you’ll be cutting off flower buds.In fall, prune shrubs only to remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches. Wait until leaves drop to better spot problem areas. Keep cuts minimal and avoid removing large limbs or heavy growth.Pruning in autumn and winter could potentially damage the plant, as it can unbalance the root to shoot ratio during a period when it is too cold to regrow. The best time to prune is after flowering.Pruning to thin out should be done from February up to just before flowering begins. A heavy pruning is best when done in March or early April so new shoots have time to grow. Don’t worry, even if you prune in the wrong season, you will not harm the viburnum.
When should I cut back my snowball bush?
The Snowball Viburnum is a deciduous shrub, so it sheds its leaves in the fall and blooms form on old wood. If you’re training your Snowball Viburnum Shrub to provide a lot of blooms, prune it back in spring after it has begun blooming to encourage more growth. Snowball Bush blooms in the summer time, blooms longer and on new wood; you need to prune her in late winter or early spring while she’s still dormant. The Chinese snowball viburnum blooms in the spring, for a shorter time, but may bloom again later in the season.Prune Snowball Hydrangea in Late Winter Pruning in late spring or early summer following the appearance of new growth results in potential flower bud removal. It’s best to prune your snowball hydrangea to the ground in late winter so strong new stems will grow and produce plenty of flower buds the following summer.Snowball (Viburnum spp. The best time to prune flowering viburnums is right after they flower in spring or summer. Avoid fall pruning that can damage new growth.
When to fertilize a snowball bush?
Feed your Snowball with a shot of a water-soluble, general-purpose fertilizer every two months from spring to fall. You can also use a well-balanced blend, like 10-10-10, and follow label instructions. If your snowball bushes are not blooming, ensure they are getting enough sunlight; they need full sun to partial shade to bloom well. Also, avoid over-pruning, as this can remove the current year’s blooms.