Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Viburnum plicatum Mariessi

LynfromSeaLynfromSea Posts: 133
in Plants
Can anyone advise me how to prune this beautiful shrub/tree only it’s outgrowing it’s space a bit. Also when is the best time to do it?
I’d be grateful for any ideas.

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Have you seen this?
    https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/viburnum-plicatum-f-tomentosum-mariesii/ 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LynfromSeaLynfromSea Posts: 133
    Yes I have but it just says prune vertical shoots unless I missed something. It’s the width I’m worried about but thanks for your help.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It’s not a shrub I’ve grown but us it like other viburnums and is multistemmed from the base?  If so I’d remove some of them … you can identify which ones over the winter when the stems are pretty bare, and tie a coloured string around the ones to be removed after flowering. 
    That’s what I think I’d do. 😊 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited September 2023
    @LynfromSea Prune after flowering. They naturally grow wide. I have been asked to get a large one undercontrol but it was years ago and I didn't consult a book or the internet.
    I removed the really wide stems at the base. Like yours a mature plant. It did no harm at all but I was faced with a client who wanted something doing that the text books would not tell you to do I expect. It was carried out after flowering so plenty of time to recover. It was important to check that each side was even so a stop start process.
    I have never seen this Viburnum growing with the kind of space it ultimately requires a stunning form for a large garden.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • LynfromSeaLynfromSea Posts: 133
    Dovefromabove said:
    It’s not a shrub I’ve grown but us it like other viburnums and is multistemmed from the base?  If so I’d remove some of them … you can identify which ones over the winter when the stems are pretty bare, and tie a coloured string around the ones to be removed after flowering. 
    That’s what I think I’d do. 😊 
    Good idea! Thank you

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited September 2023
    @LynfromSea You could use the coloured string method but I think in practice it will change.
    I would take a look from underneath following a branch right back take a good look before you cut, you may be left with a big gap if you are not careful. If this happens it will take some time to fill back in.
    At the first cut stand back and check from all angles that you are maintaning a good balanced shape.
    Continue in this way and knowing when to stop is also important! 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • LynfromSeaLynfromSea Posts: 133
    GardenerSuze said:
    @LynfromSea You could use the coloured string method but I think in practice it will change.
    I would take a look from underneath following a branch right back take a good look before you cut, you may be left with a big gap if you are not careful. If this happens it will take some time to fill back in.
    At the first cut stand back and check from all angles that you are maintaning a good balanced shape.
    Continue in this way and knowing when to stop is also important! 
    Thank you for your useful advise Suze
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @LynfromSea You are welcome. You might find that it is good to wear some goggles!
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Sign In or Register to comment.