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Questions about pruning winter damage to our big viburnums

last year

Hey All,

About 5 years ago, we planted some Pearlific Viburnums on the corners of our house for foundation anchors and they have done great. They quickly grew to their mature height (6x6) and we love the flowers in the spring and the fact that they are mostly evergreen.

We live in central KY (6A), and like most of the country, experienced a terrible once-in-a-generation cold snap this winter. The PVs are rated hardy to Zone 6, but we did not have a Zone 6 winter, and I am concerned that they were affected.

It is obviously still too early to hit the panic button, but I am noticing that one of my PVs is putting out only about half of its green leaves. The rest looks dead. I am going to give it plenty of time to leaf out this spring and summer, but I am wondering what to do if it is still half-dead by, say, May or June? How good are viburnums at filling in dead spots? Should I bother pruning out the dead branches or just rip them out and replace with something (hardier)?

Featured Answer

cvw_ky
Original Author

9 months ago

Hey all, just as an update... One of my Vibs did not make it. Another one came back about 2/3rds, but I will have a matching issue, so I am going to have to replace them.

Comments (12)

laceyvail 6A, WV
last year
Really all you can do is wait. If there is stem dieback, but new growth from the roots, cut off the dead stuff and let it regrow.
kitasei2
last year
If I may broaden the question of dealing with dieback (in my case from drought to andromedas), is transplsnting too risky?
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While we wait for an expert, I'll give you my opinion. I have at least a dozen types of viburnums and have grown them for about 20 years - at one time I thought I would try to grow them all, but I've scaled back my plans due to lack of space and the increased number of varieties on the market. If they are multi-stemmed, with several trunks coming out of the ground, you may have MUCH better luck removing 1/3 of the main stems to the ground instead of heading back the shrub. Trimming all stems to give a haircut is not going to be very good for your viburnums' eventual shape and is going to require at least annual repeat performances on your part. Removing 1/3 of the shrub can be done for 3 years in a row and followed up with an occasional removal of the tallest couple of branches. It should result in better shaped and more natural looking shrubs. By cutting some stems to the ground, you'll be encouraging the new growth to appear at the base of the plant, not at the top, and you won't have to worry that you may be removing all of next year's potential flowering stems. Also, with this treatment, you may even find that these shrubs perform well enough that you may want to keep them - right where they are.
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bazinga.. agree .. look at what grew.. since last years trim ... those stragglers up high.. look like they grew 2 foot this year ... grab one.. and track back to see where it was pruned before ... with that annual growth rate ... you are going to be hard pressed to keep it tamed ... you can try ... you wont kill it.. just go to town on it.. and with no insult to the root mass.. dont be surprised if in 2 years.. its the same size ... probably another example of a homeowner planting a plant.. in a space.. for the size it was when bought .. with no real concept of its vast potential ... get rid of it.. unless you just want to learn how to prune ... ken
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
last year
if there was no insult to the root mass .. cold a foot into the soil ... then you will probably be very surprised how fast they can grow back ... if there was root damage.. them you will have to decide if removal is an option ...

wait until late spring to see what is dead.. and then remove it..

and you will probably have to come back in fall or next spring.. and do a little restructuring ... pruning at height can lead to explosive growth out there.. and without a strong trunk to support such.. it often leads to dropping... so you would go back and prune lower to the ground.. for better long term growth...

its called rejuvenation pruning.. google the term.. so you understand your future needs.. i wouldnt do it until next year.. whats the hurry ..

ken
cvw_ky
Original Author
last year
Thanks everyone. I scratched off the bark of a few stems and there were a few places that were brown/gray but most of the branches were still green. Fingers crossed!
ViburnumValley central KY Bluegrass z6
last year
Hi @cvw_ky:

Where in the great central Kentucky Bluegrass do you reside? I have a passing interest in this spectacular genus of plants, and have a Pearlific chugging along in my landscape - among the 125+/- Viburnum taxa reveling in our treasured part of heaven. Shhh - don't tell anyone...

I think you have gotten sage advice to let the plant tell you what it wants to do, and don't be in a hurry to force the issue. If insufficient branches are alive and not enough buds open into leaves for you, you can wait till blooms are spent and then take after those plants with pruners.

You could also post some pictures of what is going on now. I'd also like to see what those plants looked like before That Difficult Time In December.

I don't think Pearlific exceeds the performance of Conoy in central Kentucky (Louisville, Lexington, Georgetown, Nicholasville).
cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
last year
All of mine have begun to leaf out and nothing looks any worse for having been through the winter- I have V. opulus, trilobum, dentatum, nudum, and a V. japonicum x V. dilatatum hybrid.

I'm up near Huntington.

I will say that over the years I have hacked at them something terrible and they always come back gangbusters looking no worse for the wear, and all of mine are in really tough conditions.
ViburnumValley central KY Bluegrass z6
last year
Yes, Viburnums can be pruned - lightly or severely - and with sufficient moisture and nutrients will generally continue on their merry way. A key is to understand timing with your particular species, and the effect that pruning will have on this year's performance, and/or next year's.

Pruning in winter or early spring will pretty much always cut off flower buds, thus my admonition to let the plant "show" you what it's going to do as it leafs out. We have had excess rains here, so I doubt your plant is showing any drought stress. If you know your plant's general fertility, then addition of a slow release granular fertilizer at label rates will give some extra oomph for recovery from the winter stress as well as from any pruning you decide to do.

If you do prune severely after leaf out and blooming, you will likely not have a fruit display this year. You should experience plenty of new bud breaks, and then you should observe the subsequent branching so that you can eliminate crossing/rubbing stems early in their growth.

Prune toward outward facing buds...
cvw_ky
Original Author
last year
Thanks for the replies. I will wait...and try to be patient. See some pics below...

MAR-APR 2021

MAY 2022

TODAY (04/02/2023)
BillMN-z-2-3-4
9 months ago
Thanks for the update. :-)
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 months ago
what in the world do you need matching plants for.. the 2/3s one will catch up next year.. and any planted this fall.. will catch up in a few years after planting..

i surely wouldnt replace otherwise healthy plants..

but alas.... it is your garden.. do as you please.. and the heck with the crazy guy behind the green curtain ...

ken
BillMN-z-2-3-4
9 months ago

I'd start with 2 new ones. The existing one is already rooted while it will take a year or two for the new one to establish roots and grow well.

No way does the 2/3 one have to 'catch up' to a new plant.

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