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ID shrub/small tree?

TNflowerlover Zone 7a

4 years ago

We moved to TN (7a) last fall. I didn’t think to take pics when it had leaves. Neighbor thinks it’s a “snowball bush,” but he also seemed to think a hydrangea was a snowball bush (I know this is not a hydrangea). I am wondering if this may be a viburnum, lilac, or crepe myrtle? Or something else?

I lean towards viburnum or lilac, but don’t know what else it may be.

Featured Answer

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

4 years ago

TNflower, your Viburnum is already a shrub. The pruning Ken refers to is not to turn it 'into a shrub'. It is to renovate the shrub you already have by removing some of the old wood and encouraging new young growth.

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Comments (7)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years ago
I'd go with the viburnum. The only one of the three that could possibly be described as a "snowball bush" and the old growth and new buds do not match with either crape myrtle or lilac.
TNflowerlover Zone 7a thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
4 years ago
agree .... subject to a leaf pic or two .. in the future ...

that could be 'renovated'.. and turned into a very nice shrub.. over the next few years ...

you could start this season .... by removing the grass and weeds.. and adding a 3 or 4 foot circle of mulch around it ... probably make mowing easier ... and keep the weedwhip away ...

ken

ps: there is a shrub forum ... whatever .. same peeps ... but if you decide to prune or renovate.. refer to shrub pruning ... not tree pruning ...
TNflowerlover Zone 7a thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
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TNflowerlover Zone 7a
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you both! I looked up some viburnum bid pics...I think it might be viburnum opulum. Very exciting!

Thanks for idea, Ken. Think I will see what it looks like first. I saw a HUGE one (well, I think it was Eastern Snowball) in Greensboro last year and flipped out. I want it tall like that one...but, I see your point of maybe pruning it into a shrub. Guess I could always let it grow taller after it grows out. Definitely something to ponder!
TNflowerlover Zone 7a
Original Author
4 years ago
Ohhhh thanks for explaining, Floral! I see that now.
KennsWoods
4 years ago
The common planted viburnum in TN is Viburnum opulus 'Roseum', European snowball viburnum. Kinda ugly when dormant, pretty when in bloom, and subject to aphids when in foliage. It may be what you have.
TNflowerlover Zone 7a thanked KennsWoods
TNflowerlover Zone 7a
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks for that name, KW! The buds definitely match it. Thanks for heads up on aphids. I had a lot of ladybugs flying around late last fall, so hopefully they will help.

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