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Viburnum Farreri

nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
in Problem solving
Hello!

I have one of these on a corner of the front of my house facing North West (ish). Due to the same neglect suffered in other areas of my garden it has become very woody, messy and bears very few flowers (though the ones that exist have a lovely fragrance). I'm thinking it's time for a renovation prune to get some nice new fresh growth and, in time, better flowering. It seems to shoot from the base freely enough. The RHS pruning book says to cut it all down to the base. Does this mean literally take every stem to the ground? 

Should this type of prune also be performed at the usual stated time of late spring, or does it matter less (or more)?

Many thanks in advance (again)!

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited October 2023
    @nickoslester93f3fKIn On a mature shrub you do need to take care not to do too much at a time. After flowering and I accept flowering is limited. Remove no more than a third of the very old stems right to the ground.
    The following year at the same time you can repeat if necessary and then check annually.You may not need to prune every year. This type of prunning encourages lots of new growth at the base that may need a little thinning but it is these new branches that will carry the new flowers.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    Super. Do you think I could take a little.height off the remaining stems too, just to prevent it looking too thin and lanky after taking out the old stems? 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited October 2023
    @nickoslester93f3fKIn Personally I wouldn't. If you think it is going to look too thin and lanky you may need to go more slowly and take out less than a third especially if it is in a poor state. Remember you will be creating gaps for new shoots which will fill it out. They are often pruned wrongly and by cutting the tops at the wrong time,  future flowers are cut way too. Because it hasn't been pruned you will need to accept that getting it back to a good healthy state will take more than one season.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • nickoslesterosnickoslesteros Posts: 178
    That makes sense. It's almost lose its leaves and flowers, so I will give it some attention. 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited November 2023
    @nickoslesteros I would wait until spring to tackle this job. Good Luck I hope it is soon back to it's prime.
    Some of the new shoots that you can see may even flower.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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