Avatar for lori4_10
May 27, 2022 10:12 AM CST
Thread OP
Wamego, Kansas
What type of bush is this? It is about 12-13' high. I cut out a lot of dead limbs and now it is pretty sparse on the bottom and it is too tall for my liking.
1. What type of bush?
2. Can I safely cut it way back and if so, how far down?
3. And will that help it bush out more?
4. And when would I cut it back?
Thanks in advance!
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Avatar for karmahappytoes
May 27, 2022 10:22 AM CST
PNW/SW WA State (Zone 8b)
Viburnum/Snowball bush or tree.
Cut or trim off the balls when they are done blooming. I wouldn't cut it clear back, just shape. The shrub tends to fill in where the tree you really have to watch if it gets top heavy.
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May 28, 2022 2:06 PM CST
Name: John
Scott County, KY (Zone 5b)
You can't have too many viburnums..
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With the trilobed leaves and snowball shaped blooms composed of sterile florets - and growing in Kansas - this is probably Viburnum opulus 'Roseum' (aka 'Sterile').

You could probably back over it with a bush-hog mower, and it would come back with a vengeance. This is generally a very tough and tolerant species, capable of being rejuvenation-pruned if you would like to start over and train it to a more handsome shape.

I would prune it after you are done enjoying the flowers. That way, you have the longest period of the growing season for the plant to initiate new stem growth and to begin rebuilding its canopy. Be prepared to water it through drought periods, because pruning off significant amounts of wood is a stress on woody plants. When you see new growth starting, you could use some balanced granular fertilizer (10-10-10, or similar low NPK values) in the plant's root zone to give it a gentle boost. If you are gung-ho, you can do the same thing with a liquid version and apply it when you are watering the plant.

If you are incredibly overzealous, you could photograph all the steps and actions you take, and post a "travelogue" of sorts of your journey in rejuvenating your large shrub.
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