skip to main content

Summer Snowflake Viburnum is not doing well

6 years ago

I bought this viburnum nice, green and blooming a couple of months ago. It gets 6 hours of sun, water but no wet feet. I read that viburnums usually have no problems, hoewever, I am not sure if it makes it till the end of summer at this rate. What could be wrong?

Featured Answer

Embothrium

6 years ago

Apart from all that I have found this species needs to be kept fertilized if soil fertility levels are not adequate for it or it will actually shut down and die rather quickly (within a few years).

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
6 years ago
How was it planted? How much water and did you water the root ball?

tj
tikva5
Original Author
6 years ago
We have plenty of water this spring, I did water the root ball. What do you mean by how was it planted?
Related Discussions
Smaller viburnum like 'summer snowflake'
Q
Comments (1)
A 'Summer Snowflake' planted nearby is at least 15' tall and with an equal or slightly larger spread.......I doubt you will be happy with the amount of effort and the results of the pruning necessary to keep it at one third or less of its intended size. It certainly will not produce the amount of blooms it could or should produce if you attempt this. Doublefile viburnums are BIG shrubs when mature. I am not aware of any dwarf forms and they do not respond well to heavy pruning so unless you have the room to allow these to grow to their intended size, I'd look at another choice.
...See More
how big will 'summer snowflake' grow
Q
Comments (4)
I have seen Summer Snowflake in Ohio that was 10' tall. Granted it was probably 25-30 years old and in southern OH at that. I had a Wada's Compact (rumored to be the same plant) in central IL and it reached 5'x4' in a shady location in 6 years. All of the plants that I saw along the East Coast seem to show an upright form rather than the typical doublefile spreading form. Saw some real beasts! 15' tall. I think that it has at least 3 names: All Summers, Wada's Compact and Summer Snowflake. Seems like I'm forgetting one too. BTW, it doesn't like to go dormant in the fall with too much water and fertilizer and will freeze back some if supplied in this manner. Know when to say when with this plant and fertilizing. Ernie
...See More
Viburnum tomentosum (doublefile viburnum)
Q
Comments (4)
Other than a susceptibility to Verticillium wilt (as are many other plants), not much bothers the doublefile. Without a doubt one of the most striking shrubs when in flower! Normally I would not suggest to prune to control width - that very wide, layered branching is one of their premier attributes. But the cultivar 'Summer Snowflake' tends to have a very upright, less spreading habit and can be much more easily kept to a narrower width. Also blooms sporadically throughout summer rather than in one big blast like more traditional cultivars.
...See More
summer snowflake viburnum
Q
Comments (3)
We planted 6 just last month. I purchased them at Lowe's last fall and kept them in their 5 gal pots over the winter. They are covered in leaves and are beginning to show their first snowy blooms. They are planted in partial shade with good drainage. We also planted 3 arrowwood (?) viburnum in full sun. This is my first experience with viburnum and they're all doing very well. ~Mary
...See More
mainegard3
6 years ago
Shrub most likely needs to spend its energy getting its roots established in its new home; may not have flowers for a few years. I think it will be fine.
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
6 years ago
By, "How was it planted?", I mean, were roots teased out, is it at the proper depth, basically what did you see and do when planting?

tj
tikva5
Original Author
6 years ago
The depth was appropriate for planting. I did not tease out the roots since it was blooming.
tikva5
Original Author
6 years ago
@Embothrium, that is interesting as it was advertised as being good with most soils and easy going shrub in general.
tikva5
Original Author
6 years ago
@mainegard3, thank you for your positive outlook! I sure hope so!

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Mitella Diphylla Provides Snowflakes in Spring

By Pollination Press LLC

This Eastern U.S. native plant will wow you with its delicate, snowflake-like petals and lacy texture

MOST POPULAR Spring Gardens Are Blooming — Here’s What to Do in April

By Annie Thornton

Get the guide you need for gardening in your U.S. region, with tasks, climate-appropriate plantings and more

HOLIDAYS Houzz Call: When Do Your Holiday Decorations Go Up?

By Annie Thornton

Is it ever too soon to start spreading the holiday cheer?

GARDENING GUIDES 4 Elements of a Stunning Fall Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Late summer is a good time to look beyond trees to create an autumn landscape that draws the eye and stirs the soul

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Unsung Bulbs for Fall Planting

By LuAnn Brandsen

Don't hang up your spade after summer — plant these unusual bulbs in fall for a spectacular spring show

GARDENING GUIDES Oh, Deer! 10 Native Flowers That Stand Up to the Herds

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Keeping a garden amid hungry deer can be hard, but these plants should fare well

GARDENING GUIDES Bring On the Blossoms: 9 Top Picks for Flowering Shrubs

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Gorgeous spring- and summer-blooming shrubs deliver color, fragrance and pollinators to your garden

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Great Design Plant: Retreat to the Shade of Hardy Catalpa

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Big foliage and a towering height provide a shady respite in summer, but that's not all hardy catalpa offers dedicated gardeners

GARDENING GUIDES Northeast Gardener's September Checklist

By Paintbox Garden

Pluck those tomatoes, enjoy ever-changing grasses and get an eyeful of exuberant zinnias

GARDENING GUIDES Great Lakes Gardener's October Checklist

By Barbara Pintozzi

Enjoy nature's fall finery while stockpiling leaves, bringing delicate perennials indoors and grabbing some pumpkins for decorating

Sponsored

CHC & Family Developments

4 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, Ohio

More Discussions

winter red winterberry

6

North American Source for Chaemelaucium uncinaturm?

5

Planting distance Question

17

Pruning/cutting back newly planted shrubs?

1

anyone experience these winter killed?

6