Viburnum Problems Why Won't My Viburnum Bush Flower

Your mature viburnum needs full sun to bloom at its best and well-draining, acidic soil. ... Another common cause for non-flowering viburnums is improper pruning. Viburnum shrubs are one of the many ornamental shrubs that blooms on old wood, so waiting until after blooming to prune is recommended.

What is wrong with my viburnum?

Viburnum species may become diseased with powdery mildew caused by the fungus Erysiphe viburni. The occurrence and spread of this disease is favored by a combination of warm days, cool nights, and humid conditions but is inhibited by rain. Powdery mildew is worse on plants in the shade.

What is the best fertilizer for viburnum?

Blood meal is a smart choice to apply in late winter or spring, as it breaks down rapidly to sweeten the soil for flowering. Later, alfalfa meal, compost, rotted manures and fish emulsion are all safe choices for fertilizing viburnums.

How do you rejuvenate a viburnum?

You can rejuvenate old plants by cutting them down to a short stump but, after doing so, the shrub may not bloom for two years. Find tips for tree-forming Snowball Viburnum below. Healthy specimens rarely need pruning. Prune viburnums after flowering only if pruning is necessary for shaping.

Why are my snowballs not blooming?

If soil moisture levels are off, blooming may cease. Snowball bush prefers consistently moist soils with excellent drainage. If lacking water or receiving too much, a stressed snowball bush may stop flowering. Check soil moisture and drainage, and adjust as necessary.

Can you hard prune viburnum?

Prune any of the Viburnum too late in the year and you will forfeit the flowers for a year or more. Most Viburnums can be rejuvenated by cutting back hard. ... This type of (drastic) pruning should be carried out in the early part of the year in order that the plant may put on growth before the following winter.

Why are my viburnum dying?

Botryosphaeria canker is a fungal disease that causes leaves, even entire branches, to wilt and die. Scraping back the bark on infected branches will often reveal dark brown wood. Canker tends to attack shrubs that are suffering from drought stress, so keep your viburnum well-irrigated during dry weather.

How do I get my viburnum to flower?

Your mature viburnum needs full sun to bloom at its best and well-draining, acidic soil. Too much nitrogen in the soil, or added as a fertilizer, will encourage your bush to put out a lot of lush, vegetative growth instead of putting energy into forming blooms.

How can I make my viburnum grow faster?

Giving your viburnum proper care can maximize its growth. Most members of the genus prefer slightly acidic soil, with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.5. Add organic matter around the roots with a mulch of 2 to 3 inches of tree bark or 4 to 6 inches of pine straw.

Can you overwater viburnum?

In average garden soil you should not have to water your newly planted Viburnum every day. ... Shrubs planted during the winter dormant season, when plants are not actively growing and evaporation is much slower, will require much less water. So, be extra careful not to overwater during winter!

How do I prune viburnum?

To shape a viburnum, prune it lightly immediately after flowering. Remove the flower heads and cut back any branches that spoil the shape of the shrub to a pair of newly-sprouted leaves. Remember that removing the flower heads will preclude the formation of fruit, which can be very attractive in many viburnums.

How do you rejuvenate old shrubs?

To rejuvenate your shrubs and bushes, you have three options:

Sever the entire plant by cutting it down to the soil line. ...
Prune all the branches to unequal heights in one session. ...
Remove one-third of the plant's branches each year over the course of three years, starting with the oldest, least productive.

When should I trim my viburnum?

If you're pruning viburnums to restrain or shape their growth, the timing for when to prune viburnum is right after flowering. Viburnums typically form their flower buds for the following year during the summer after flowering. If you wait to prune viburnums in fall or early spring, you risk cutting off flower buds.

Do you deadhead snowball bushes?

Cut back dead or diseased branches anytime they appear. Deadhead, or remove, flower heads after they fade. ... Cut from one to three of the oldest branches back to the ground to renew the shrub. You may cut up to one-third of the old stems from overgrown smooth-leaf hydrangeas to the ground to renew them.

When should I fertilize my snowball bush?

Fertilize your snowball bush plant in the spring with a slow-release fertilizer, or work compost into the earth around the plant at any time. Be careful not to go overboard—fertilizing too much can inhibit the plant's blossoms.

What kind of fertilizer do you use on a snowball bush?

Snowball bushes don't require heavy feeding, and too much fertilizer can promote rot. Use a balanced 10-10-10 NPK fertilizer in early spring if desired. Pinch spent blooms to help promote new growth. Regular pruning is necessary to keep snowball bushes tidy.

How do I prune an overgrown viburnum?

Immediately after it flowers next spring, remove dead stems and suckers, and prune out one-third of the oldest stems. Continue removing the oldest stems each spring until the plant has an attractive and natural-looking shape.

How do you take care of a viburnum bush?

When it comes to viburnum care, water shrubs during dry periods. It will also help to add mulch to retain moisture. You can apply a slow-release fertilizer to viburnums as well but this isn't required. In addition, pruning the shrub should be included with viburnum care.

How much sun do viburnum shrubs need?

Most viburnums grow best in full sun but are just as content in light to partial shade. Except for a few varieties, noted in the chart Viburnums that excel from season to season, give them moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil with a pH from 5.6 to 6.6.

How often do you water viburnum?

How to Water Viburnums. When you first plant viburnums, water every 1 or 2 days, whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Hold the hose near the root ball and make sure the root zone is thoroughly soaked at each watering. You'll be able to gradually increase the days between watering as the plants establish roots.

Can dead bushes come back to life?

The answer is yes! First and foremost, the dying plant's roots must be alive to have any chance of coming back to life. ... It's even better if your plant stems still show signs of green. To get started, trim back any dead leaves and some foliage, especially if the majority of the roots are damaged.

Why do viburnum leaves turn yellow?

Leaf spot is a fungal disease that may cause blotchy, yellowing leaves on viburnum, especially during damp, cool weather. ... Mulch around the shrub to keep water from splashing on the leaves. If the problem persists, apply a copper fungicide weekly during damp weather.