How Long Does Viburnum Bloom? A Guide to This Spring Flowering Shrub

January 21, 2025 by Simply Bloom

Flowering shrubs do lots of good things in the garden, but their length of bloom often disappoints. Exceptions do occur, with hybrid roses being the most obvious and ubiquitous example. They’re not the only shrubs that bloom long and well, though. Here are seven of the best of the rest. Even though their flowers aren’t as full as hybrid tea roses, they more than hold their own when it comes to habits, leaves, and disease resistance.

Viburnum is a beloved spring flowering shrub known for its showy blooms and fragrance But how long does this beauty really last in the garden? Here is a complete guide to viburnum bloom times so you can plan a stunning spring display

An Overview of ViburnumBloom Seasons

Most viburnum varieties bloom in spring, typically from early March through June. However, exact bloom times depend on the species and cultivar. Early bloomers like Viburnum x burkwoodii open flowers as early as March. Late bloomers like Viburnum plicatum ‘Summer Snowflake’ continue blooming into early summer.

On average,expect viburnum blooms to last 4-6 weeks. Each flower cluster or umbrella-shaped corymb will bloom for about 2 weeks before fading. But a single shrub produces waves of flowers over an extended period. So you’ll get to enjoy weeks of nonstop viburnum beauty in spring.

What Impacts Viburnum Bloom Times

Several factors influence when viburnum begins flowering and how long the display lasts

Plant Type: Viburnum includes both evergreen and deciduous species. Evergreens like Viburnum tinus bloom earlier while deciduous viburnums flower later in spring.
Cultivar Newer cultivars are often selected for extended bloom times For example, ‘Spice Girl’ blooms up to 3 weeks longer than other Korean spice viburnum

Location: Viburnum grown in full sun with good airflow bloom earlier and more profusely than shaded plants.
Climate: Bloom times vary based on your USDA plant hardiness zone. Expect viburnum to flower 1-2 weeks earlier in southern zones.
Weather: Unseasonably warm or cold spring temperatures may accelerate or delay flowering. Extra rain or drought also impacts bloom time.

Age of Plant: Younger, smaller viburnum may bloom sparsely or late. Mature, established shrubs flower more abundantly over a longer period.

Tips to Maximize Bloom Time

You can encourage a robust, prolonged bloom display from viburnum with proper care:

Plant in full sun or part sun with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Provide moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Avoid overly wet or compacted sites.
Water viburnum during dry spells, especially before and during flowering.

Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to fuel growth and blooms.
Prune after flowering by selectively thinning old branches at their base. Avoid shearing.
Protect from late frosts that can damage emerging flower buds.

Allow shrubs adequate space for good air circulation and growth.

Key Flowering Species and Bloom Schedule

Below is an overview of popular viburnum species and cultivars, listed by typical bloom period:

Early Bloomers: March – April

Viburnum x burkwoodii: fragrant, pink-tinged white flowers from March to April
Viburnum x bodnantense: intensely fragrant pink buds opening to white from March to April
Viburnum farreri: sweetly scented white flowers in April

Viburnum tinus: lightly fragrant white blooms from late winter through spring

Mid-Season Bloomers: April – May

Viburnum carlesii: famously fragrant snowball blooms in April
Viburnum x juddii: massive, compact blooms in April to May

Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’ (snowball bush): showy white flowers in May
Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum (doublefile viburnum): tiered white blooms late April into May

Late Bloomers: May – June

Viburnum dentatum: flat-topped white flowers May to June

Viburnum dilatatum: creamy lacecap blooms late spring into early summer
Viburnum macrocephalum: large, spherical white flowers into early summer
Viburnum plicatum var. plicatum: long-lasting white blooms, often reblooming in summer

Viburnum rhytidophyllum: lacy white flowers May into June

As you can see, viburnum offers months of flowering beauty. Pay attention to bloom times when selecting species and cultivars for your landscape. With proper planting and care, you can craft stunning displays that feature waves of viburnum blossoms all spring long.

Summer Snowflake Doublefile Viburnum

Viburnums, like lilacs, typically flower for only a couple of weeks per year. “Summer Snowflake” (Viburnum plicatum “Summer Snowflake”) is one of the few exceptions. From mid-spring to early fall, its terraced branches are covered in flat clusters of white flowers. It’s also different from other doublefile viburnums because it grows in a fairly tight, narrow shape (5 to 7 feet tall and wide). Even though it doesn’t have the big, dramatic looks of full-sized doublefile cultivars like ‘Mariesii’ and ‘Shasta,’ ‘Summer Snowflake’ is a better choice for foundation plantings and other spots with limited space. The leaves take on smoky maroon tones in fall. In USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9, all doublefile viburnums do best in sun to light shade and soil that is high in humus.

Littleleaf Lilac and Hybrids

Almost all lilacs are one-and-done bloomers. Not so with littleleaf lilac ‘Superba’ (Syringa pubescens ssp. microphylla ‘Superba’). A few days after common lilacs bloom, large clusters of sweet-smelling, pale lilac-pink flowers open from reddish buds in the middle of spring. Then, in midsummer, a miracle occurs, with a second flush of blooms developing on the current season’s growth. Littleleaf lilac is also pretty when it’s not in bloom. It grows into an 8-foot-tall, round tree with delicate, privet-like leaves. Plant breeders have crossed “Superba” with other lilacs to make several varieties that bloom more than once, such as the Bloomerang® Series. For maximum rebloom, plant ‘Superba’ and its offspring in full sun and fertile, loamy, near-neutral soil. A spring top-dressing of Fafard® Premium Natural & Organic Compost is all to the good. These lilacs do best in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8.

Snowball Bush Viburnum: How to Grow

FAQ

Does viburnum bloom all summer?

Viburnums, like lilacs, typically flower for only a couple of weeks per year. One of the few exceptions is the remarkable ‘Summer Snowflake’ (Viburnum plicatum ‘Summer Snowflake’), whose terraced branches are frosted with flat clusters of white flowers from mid-spring to early fall.

How long do viburnum blooms last?

Cut thin branches when the buds are starting to open. Recut the bottom of the stem before placing in a vase. Change the water every 2 to 3 days and the blooms will last about 1 week. Viburnum branches can also be forced into bloom in early spring.

What do you do with viburnum after flowering?

Prune viburnums after flowering only if pruning is necessary for shaping. Old or crowded plants may be thinned and shortened to bring flowers to eye level. After 4 to 5 years you may remove 1/3 of the oldest stems, and thereafter prune every 2 or 3 years.

Should you deadhead viburnum?

Even the lightest form of pruning, the removal of spent flowers called deadheading, isn’t needed with most viburnums, since what you want is fruit after the flowers (unlike all that deadheading with lilacs, for instance, to prevent messiness).

Leave a Comment Cancel reply