Did you know that how you prune and fertilise your viburnum shrubs after they bloom can affect their health and flowering ability next year?
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Viburnum blooms are light pink, white, or cream from early spring to June. Some varieties' blooms become fruit, attracting hungry birds and wildlife to your property.
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In cooler climates, viburnum shrubs are deciduous or semi-deciduous. Warmer climate viburnums are evergreen.
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Viburnum plants require little maintenance, but after blooming, they need proper care to prepare for next year's blooming. For future success, prune and fertilise after flowering, as shown below!
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The way a plant blooms affects its pruning. Some plants only produce buds on new wood, while others bloom on older wood.
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Although pruning at the wrong time won't kill plants, it can greatly reduce blooms in the current or following year. Thus, viburnum pruning after blooming is essential!
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Viburnum shrubs and trees bloom on last year's wood. Therefore, prune the shrub after or just after its annual bloom cycle. Unfortunately, pruning them in early spring removes last year's growth and this year's blooms.
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However, late summer or autumn pruning removes new wood from viburnums that bloomed. Next spring's buds are in that wood.
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Major pruning or shaping of your viburnum should happen after blooming. With enough time left in summer, the shrub can grow new wood and bloom sets for next year.
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This should only change if your shrub fruits after blooming. For these varieties, wait until early autumn when the fruit falls. Any viburnum variety can be lightly pruned throughout the season.
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