My Garden
| Category | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennial plant | |
| Estimated Plant Lifespan | 70 years lifespan | |
| Toxic to humans | Toxic to humans | |
| Toxicity | Toxic to: Dogs, Cats | |
| Sun Requirements | 4-6 hours direct sunlight (Partial Sun) | |
| Pollination | Method: Animal Notes: Pollinated by bees and other insects. The large outer florets are sterile and serve to attract pollinators to the small fertile inner flowers. Fruit production is often improved when more than one genetically distinct cultivar is planted nearby, as many are not self-fertile. | |
| Watering Requirements | Method: Top water Frequency: Water deeply when the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry. Needs consistent moisture, especially during its first few years of establishment and during periods of drought. Notes: Prefers consistently moist, but well-drained soil. Applying a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base will help conserve soil moisture and regulate soil temperature. | |
| Humidity Requirements | Level: Moderate Maintenance: No special maintenance is typically required. It is well-adapted to the humidity levels found in its recommended growing zones. | |
| Care Instructions | Minimal pruning is required. If necessary, prune to maintain its shape or remove dead/damaged branches immediately after it has finished flowering. Pruning later in the season will remove the flower buds that have formed for the following year. | |
| Temperature Range | Min: -29°C Max: 32°C | |
| Alternative Names | Pleated Viburnum, Viburnum plicatum tomentosum |
Cultivars
Silver Maples have extremely aggressive, shallow, and water-seeking root systems that will outcompete the Viburnum for moisture and nutrients, stunting its growth and potentially causing decline.
Black Walnut trees produce a chemical called juglone, which is exuded from their roots and is toxic (allelopathic) to many other plants, including Viburnums. Planting them in proximity will lead to poor growth, yellowing leaves, and eventual death of the Viburnum.
This is the most significant pest for Viburnums. Both the larvae and adult beetles feed on the leaves, skeletonizing them and causing severe defoliation which can weaken and eventually kill the plant over several years.
Small, sap-sucking insects that cluster on new growth and the undersides of leaves. Infestations can cause distorted, curled leaves, and their secreted 'honeydew' can lead to the growth of sooty mold.
Tiny arachnids that are difficult to see with the naked eye. They suck cell contents from leaves, leading to a stippled or bronzed appearance. Fine webbing on the plant is a clear sign of a heavy infestation, often occurring in hot, dry conditions.
Steps:
- In late spring or early summer, take a 4-6 inch cutting from the tip of a healthy, non-flowering branch of new growth.
- Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and make a clean cut just below a leaf node.
- Dip the cut end into a rooting hormone powder.
- Insert the cutting into a pot filled with a moist, sterile medium like a mix of perlite and peat moss.
- Cover the pot with a plastic bag or place it in a propagator to maintain high humidity.
- Place in a warm location with bright, indirect light.
- Keep the medium consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- After 6-8 weeks, gently tug on the cutting to check for root development. Once rooted, transplant to a larger pot to grow on before planting in the garden.
Neem Oil
A natural broad-spectrum insecticide and fungicide used to control aphids, spider mites, and other soft-bodied pests.
Horticultural Oil
Can be applied during the dormant season to smother the overwintering eggs of pests like the Viburnum Leaf Beetle and scale insects.
Rooting Hormone Powder
Promotes faster and more reliable root development on cuttings during propagation.
Composted Pine Bark Mulch
Helps retain soil moisture, suppresses weeds, and enriches the soil with organic matter as it breaks down, benefiting the plant's preferred growing conditions.