Growing a Snowball Bush
The snowball bush, or viburnum, is a beautiful flowering bush that looks like it has large snowy balls of flowers hanging on the branches in between the green leaves. The bush grows well in most parts of the United States, from zones 4 to 9 so it can adapt well to the climate it lives in. The snowball bush does not require a lot of elaborate care so it is easy to grow and is a delightful bush to enjoy when it is in full bloom. If you own flowering bushes like azalea and hibiscus, a snowball bush is the perfect addition to your garden.
The flowers of the snowball bush resemble those of the hydrangea but the leaves are a lighter shade of green and smaller in size. During the fall season the leaves turn red in color. This bush blossoms during the spring season and rarely needs pruning but if it does, it should be pruned during the fall season after the blossoming period. At this time the dead flowers remaining on the bush can be cut off with a pair of garden clippers.
Most nurseries carry snowball bushes that can be planted in he ground after the last frost. Look for a bush that is young and healthy. The snowball bush tends to grow up to ten feet tall but has strong branches so you don’t need any special support for it while it grows. The bush should be positioned somewhere in your yard where it can be visible during the blossoming season. This bush will also tolerate partial shade if you are unable to position it where it can receive full sunlight. You can add some compost to the soil but it is not necessary as your bush will grow in any quality soil. Dig a hole in the ground big enough for the roots – approximately two feet deep and eighteen inches in diameter. After you place the bush in the hole, break up the dirt that was dug out then use it to cover the roots with.
Your snowball bush can be watered up to two times a week after it is first planted in the ground. Small bugs like aphids will want to congregate on the leaves of the bush but they can be discouraged whether by using a pesticide or a watering hose to wash them off the bush. A general fertilizer can be used to help the plant blossom more fully in the springtime.
Image Credit: Steve Karg, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.
