The wrinkle-leaved viburnum is considered to be quite robust and easy to care for, and is occasionally even called stubborn. Originally native to China, it copes very well with the Central European climate and is even hardy here.
When and how should you cut the wrinkled viburnum?
The wrinkle-leaved viburnum should be pruned on frost-free days from the end of February. Remove dry and diseased branches, be careful not to cut off too many flower heads and shape the plant. Allergy sufferers should wear protective glasses and a mask.
As a densely growing and evergreen plant, the wrinkle-leaved viburnum is particularly suitable as a privacy and noise barrier or for a hedge. If it is never pruned, the shrub tends to become bare near the ground. You can avoid this with regular trimming.
Precautions when cutting the wrinkled viburnum
The fine hairs on the back of the leaf of the wrinkled viburnum can trigger allergic reactions. If you suffer from allergies, you should definitely use protective glasses and a mask when pruning the shrub. The same applies to sensitive people who may have difficulty breathing when inhaling the fine hairs.
When is the right time to cut?
While many types of viburnum are pruned after flowering, you can prune the wrinkled viburnum from the end of February on a frost-free day. Annually the shrub grows a little less than half a meter and is about 3.5 m high.
First cut out all dry and diseased branches and those that rub against each other. Then give the wrinkled snowball a little more shape. Avoid cutting off too many flower heads. The flowering of the wrinkled viburnum begins in May. The decorative fruits are initially red and later turn black.
The Rejuvenation Cut
If you haven't pruned your shrub for a few years, it may already be starting to become bald near the ground. Now the only thing that helps is a strong rejuvenation cut. Shorten all shoots by about half. Although you will probably have to miss out on flowering next season, the wrinkle-leaved viburnum is robust enough to recover quickly.
The most important cutting tips:
- Topiary cutting in early spring (around the end of February)
- cut on frost-free days
- use clean sharp tools
- strong rejuvenation cut for baldness
- Allergy sufferers should use mouth and eye protection
Tip
Allergy sufferers should not prune the wrinkled viburnum without protective glasses and a mask.
