Viburnums are one of the most delightful trees or shrubs to add to your landscape, as their sweetly scented blossoms will perfume the air around them when they bloom in spring. While they will quickly grow into impressive specimens, they are relatively low-maintenance, making them perfect for almost any property.
Once your viburnum has become established, it will only need to be watered when there is no rainfall; if required, you should run a sprinkler or soaker hose for half an hour twice a week, or pour a gallon of water per plant.
How to Tell if a Viburnum Needs Water?
In extreme drought conditions, viburnum leaves may turn grey, and new leaves may be wilted, while new stems will droop from lack of water.
How Do You Know When Your Viburnum is Sufficiently Watered?
In most situations, a half hour of sprinkler or soaker hose watering will be enough for your viburnum, which works out to about a gallon of water per plant. If you have a soil moisture meter, plunge it down about a foot to check if the water has sunk down that far.
Can You Overwater a Viburnum?
While viburnums do need moist soil, they will suffer when the soil is consistently wet. When the roots can’t breathe they may develop root rot, which can kill them.
What are Signs of an Overwatered Viburnum?
If the leaves of a viburnum turn yellow and drop off, that’s a sure sign that it has root rot as a result of overwatering.
How Long Can a Viburnum Go Without Water?
While viburnums appreciate a deep watering about once a week, they can survive 3 or 4 weeks of drought conditions
Should Viburnum Soil Be Moist?
Viburnums will do best in consistently moist soil that is never soggy. Before planting, amend the hole with loose, well-draining soil with plenty of well-rotted compost and some peat moss. That way, the soil will retain adequate moisture while still letting the roots breathe.
Why is my Viburnum Turning Brown/Yellow?
Your viburnum leaves may be turning brown if the soil has dried out so much that there’s no water getting to the leaves.
On the other hand, they are likely to turn yellow and fall off when the soil has stayed so wet that the roots can’t breathe, causing root rot.
Why is my Viburnum Droopy?
The stems of your viburnum could be drooping because the plants aren’t getting any water from the soil. On the other hand, if they’re turning mushy as they droop, that’s a symptom of root rot, caused by overwatering or soil that doesn’t drain properly.
Does a Viburnum Need Fertilizer?
Viburnum doesn’t need much in the way of feeding, but an annual application of compost will help maintain lush, healthy growth.
Spread a thick layer of well-rotted compost around the plant, starting about a foot out from the main stem or trunk, and outwards as far as the branches extend. Water it well to get the nutrients moving down into the soil to feed the roots.
If you don’t have access to compost, you can sprinkle a slow-release balanced fertilizer the same way, or drive in fertilizer stakes at the edge of the drip line.
How Much Sunlight Does a Viburnum Need?
Viburnums do best in full sun in most climates. However, where summers are especially hot, some filtered shade in the afternoon will be of benefit.
Will Temperatures and Humidity Affect a Viburnum?
Viburnums will grow well in temperatures up to about 90°F (32°C). Above that, water more frequently to prevent any stress from the high temperatures.
They will tolerate a wide range of humidity, although in extremely muggy climates it’s best to plant them in a location with good air circulation.
Will a Viburnum Survive in the Winter?
Viburnums are extremely winter-hardy. While hardiness varies between the varieties, you can find viburnums that are hardy to zone 2, although others may only be reliably hardy to zones 4 or 5.
Some viburnums are evergreen, holding their leaves throughout the winter, while others will drop their leaves in colder zones.
Will a Viburnum Survive in Direct Sunlight?
A viburnum will do well in direct sunlight, although most will also grow fine in semi-shade.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re planting a tree-form specimen viburnum, or a mixed hedge of these flowering shrubs, viburnums are an excellent addition to landscapes in most growing zones.
Read our related watering articles:
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- How Often Should I Water My Lawn?
- How Often Should I Water Ornamental Grasses?
- How Often to Water Shrubs?
- How Often Should You Water a Sempervivum?
- How Often Should You Water Lamb’s Ear?
Janice is a retired High School teacher who is spending her leisure years keeping busy with all sorts of projects. Aside from freelance writing, she’s an enthusiastic amateur chef, home wine maker, and tends a large raised-bed vegetable garden, while at the same time running a Bed & Breakfast.