Viburnum is actually pretty easygoing when it comes to pruning, even if it doesn’t strictly *need* a haircut every year. But if you’re wondering when to pick up the shears for the first time, how often to do it, or when the best window is, I’ve got you covered.
Pruning Your Viburnum for the First Time
When you first bring a young viburnum home, the best thing you can do is let it do its thing for a while. You’ll want to wait about four years after planting before you think about pruning. By that point, the shrub is established and sturdy enough to handle a trim without skipping a beat.
Should You Prune Regularly or Just Once in a While?
How often you prune really depends on where you’ve planted it and the look you’re going for. For most garden spots, a light pruning every two to three years is plenty. Some gardeners prefer to skip it entirely to keep that wild, natural silhouette, but a little maintenance can actually act like a “fountain of youth” for the plant, clearing out the old wood so fresh, new growth can take over.
Since viburnum is pretty resilient, you *can* prune it up to twice a year if you want to, though it’s rarely necessary. Frequent trimming is usually only a must for:
- Hedges
- Container plants
- Topiary or specific shaping
Timing is Everything
The golden rule for viburnum is to prune it right after it finishes blooming. This lets you clear out old branches while giving the plant plenty of time to develop new growth for next season’s flowers. Depending on which variety you have, this window might land in spring, summer, or even early fall.
If you’re aiming for a very specific shape and want to prune twice a year, do the first round right after the blooms fade. For the second round, you can go in just before the next blooming season—but be careful to only remove old, tired wood so you don’t accidentally snip off the upcoming flowers!
