Viburnum is a flowering shrub that comes from the Adoxaceae family. The Adoxaceae is commonly referred to as the moschatel family. Viburnum is extremely popular with landscapers and home gardeners for its exceptional ornamental qualities. By applying it, you can increase the beauty of your landscape manifold. If it is well taken care of, then planting it will be very beneficial for your landscape. Viburnum plays an important role in making your garden full of colors, spreading the fragrance of flowers, and keeping the garden interesting throughout the year.
Characteristics of Viburnum
Viburnum is a group of shrubs. If you are considering planting it in your landscape, you have a choice of 150 to 175 varieties to choose from. In this group of viburnum, you will find not only deciduous viburnum shrubs but also evergreen viburnum shrubs. Not only this but some of its species are also found in the form of small trees. Viburnums range in height from 2 feet to 30 feet, depending on which species you are planting.
Flowers
Its flowers are very beautiful. The flowers in some species have fragrance while some are odorless. On the other hand, the species whose fragrance is found in the flowers, their aroma is surprisingly good, while there are some species whose aroma you may find unpleasant. Viburnum flowers usually bloom in early spring and are of a variety of textures. These flowers can be white or completely pink with a white, cream, or pink blush.
Fruits
Depending on the species variety, you may also see thin-skinned ornamental fruits that look almost like berries. These fruits appear after the summer or in the fall and persist through the winter. Fruit colors can be yellow, red, orange, pink, blue, or black. While it is attractive to humans, it is delicious food for birds and other wildlife and they are attracted to it. If you want to get more of these fruits, it is recommended to plant several Viburnum plants around each other. These viburnum fruits retain a great deal of interest in the winter when the landscape’s attractiveness has waned.
Foliage
Its leaves are very beautiful. Viburnum leaves can be round, glabrous, toothed, or shaped like a maple leaf, depending on the species. The beautiful leaves of this shrub spread their beauty throughout the year, but in the fall they are made on sight. Its leaves change color from green to glossy red, then to red, and finally to purple in the fall.
Caring Guide for Viburnum
USDA Hardiness Zone
You can plant it in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 9.
Soil Conditions
You can use most medium-fertile, moist, but well-drained soil for best results. Also, slightly acidic soil conditions with a pH of 5.5 to 6.6 would be beneficial. If the pH of the soil is higher or lower than the required amount, modify it.
Light Needs
Different species of viburnum have different lighting preferences. Some of its species require full sun, some prefer partial and some prefer most of the shade. But you can plant almost all the species in a place where they get soft sunlight in the morning and shade during the scorching afternoon sun, of course, they will give good results. In other words, if it gets a few hours of sunlight every day, it will perform well.
Watering the Viburnum
Almost all species of viburnum require watering only once a week. If the weather is very dry then you can give water twice a week otherwise not. If their water requirement is already met due to rain, then avoid giving water.
Fertilizing the Viburnum
Fertilizer is required only once in a whole year and the best time for this is a few days after the flowers bloom. If you want to fertilize at any other time, you can give it, except for one time. Do not fertilize on the first day of winter and 2 months before that in your area. This will prevent this shrub from developing to deteriorate in the cold. While fertilizing after the flowers bloom, you will not only give the shrub a chance to grow anew in favorable weather, but you will also be able to enjoy their attractive leaves and fragrant flowers.
When to Prune Viburnum?
If you want to prune viburnum lightly, you can do so at any time throughout the year. But if you want to do complete pruning, then the best time for this is late winter and early spring. This is the time when plants give new shoots and new parts develop in the plants.
You can prune the bush by a third each year and give it the desired shape. Remove damaged branches and leaves and allow healthy parts to develop. If the viburnum is still young, it’s a good idea to sort it out now as you want to see it in the years to come.
Uses of Viburnum
Gardeners use viburnums for decoration in the home landscape or lawn. You can use it in several ways depending on the mature height of the plants. If you want, use it as a border bush or plant it as foundation plants. This shrub is also spreading and because of its quality, people like to plant it as an excellent screen plant. It is also used in specimen plants or hedges.
Final words for Viburnum Bush
By keeping the above-mentioned things in mind, you can take good care of your viburnum and beautifully decorate your landscape with it. The viburnum shrub is a useful addition to your landscape or home garden from many perspectives, and it doesn’t let you down when properly cared for. Seeing your landscape full of colors throughout the year is nothing less than a reward. Attractive leaves, lovely fragrant flowers along ornamental berries will be the center of attraction for you and your loved ones.
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