Viburnum odoratissimum

WA Scene | January 10, 2023 | 0 Comments

Growing viburnum odoratissimum

Viburnum odoratissimum, commonly called ‘sweet viburnum’, is a fast-growing evergreen shrub which is known for its powerful sweet fragrance. A low-maintenance plant, with it’s lush foliage and beautiful blooms a wonderful edition to any garden.

Viburnum odoratissimum is most commonly grown as a shrub, but it can also be grown as a free standing tree.

If you have ever wondered how to grow Viburnum odoratissimum then look no further. There are a few tricks to successfully growing Viburnum odoratissimum in Perth, Western Australia. Get these right and you will be laughing.

When to plant Viburnum odoratissimum

In general, it is best to plant the plant in the cooler months of the year, either in the spring or fall. This will give the plant time to become established before the hot summer weather arrives.

How much water do Viburnum odoratissimum need

Water the plant deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions and the condition of the soil. In hot, dry weather, the plant may need to be watered more frequently.

Check the soil moisture level regularly by sticking your finger about an inch into the soil. If the soil feels dry at that depth, it’s time to water the plant.

Avoid watering the plant from above, as this can lead to fungal diseases. Instead, water the plant at the base of the plant, near the roots.

If you are growing Viburnum odoratissimum in a pots, be sure to check the soil moisture level more frequently, as container plants dry out faster than plants in the ground.

How big can Viburnum odoratissimum grow?

The size of Viburnum odoratissimum will depend on a number of factors, including the plant’s age, the growing conditions, and the care it receives. In general, the plant can grow to be quite large, with mature plants reaching heights of up to 4.5 m and widths of up to 2.4 m. However, it is also possible to prune the plant to keep it smaller if desired.

How to prune Viburnum odoratissimum

Pruning Viburnum odoratissimum can help to maintain the plant’s shape and size, as well as promote healthy new growth. Here are some general guidelines for pruning Viburnum odoratissimum:

Prune the plant in the late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. This will allow you to easily see the plant’s structure and make any necessary cuts.
Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches using clean, sharp pruning shears. Make the cuts just above a healthy bud or branch.
To maintain the plant’s shape, remove any branches that are growing out of bounds or crossing over each other.
If you want to reduce the size of the plant, cut back the branches by about one-third to one-half. This will encourage the plant to produce new, more compact growth.
Avoid pruning the plant too severely, as this can stress the plant and reduce its vigor.

How fast do Viburnum odoratissimum grow

Viburnum odoratissimum is known for its rapid growth rate, especially when it is grown in optimal conditions. The plant can grow up to 0.9 m per year, although its growth rate will depend on a number of factors, including the plant’s age, the growing conditions, and the care it receives. To encourage healthy growth, be sure to provide the plant with plenty of sunlight, well-draining soil, and regular watering and fertilisation.

How to grow Viburnum odoratissimum in a garden

To plant a Viburnum odoratissimum in the garden simply follow these steps:

Choose a sunny spot with well drained soil. Enrich the soil with a quality Dynamic Lifter and Soil Improver.
Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.
Position in hole and back-fill with potting mix, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant’s root zone. This helps keep water where it’s needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.
Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, keeping them away from touching the trunk.
Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
Feed in Autumn and Spring with Dynamic Lifter and Soil Improver to promote strong root development, healthy foliage and flower growth.

How to grow Viburnum odoratissimum in a pot

Growing Viburnum odoratissimum in pots is a great idea if you want to grow a relatively small Viburnum odoratissimum. I love to grow Viburnum in pots because it gives you the flexibility to move them around the backyard to get the sun required.

Pick a variety that can be grown in a pot. Choose a pot at least 50 cm wide and deep. Position in full sun.
Fill chosen pot with quality potting mix.
Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease out the roots.
Position in hole and back-fill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.
Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.
Feed in Autumn and Spring with Dynamic Lifter and Soil Improver to promote strong root development, healthy foliage and lots of flowers.

How to propagate Viburnum odoratissimum

There are a few different methods you can try to propagate Viburnum odoratissimum:

Stem cuttings: One of the easiest and most common ways to propagate Viburnum odoratissimum is by taking stem cuttings. To do this, follow these steps:

Select a healthy, non-flowering stem that is about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long.
Cut the stem just below a leaf node (the point where the leaf attaches to the stem).
Remove the lower leaves from the stem, leaving just a few at the top.
Dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone, if desired. This can help to promote root formation.
Fill a small pot with a well-draining rooting medium, such as a mixture of peat moss and perlite.
Plant the stem cutting about an inch deep in the rooting medium, making sure to firm the soil around it.
Water the cutting well and place it in a warm, well-lit location out of direct sunlight.
Keep the soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged. The cutting should root in 4-6 weeks.

Seeds: Viburnum odoratissimum can also be propagated from seeds, although this method is more challenging and may not produce plants that are true to the parent plant. To propagate Viburnum from seeds, follow these steps:

Collect seeds from the plant when they are ripe, typically in the fall.
Clean the seeds by removing any debris or pulp.
Stratify the seeds by placing them in a damp paper towel and storing them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for 3-4 months. This simulates the natural cold stratification process that the seeds would experience in the wild.
After stratification, sow the seeds in a well-draining seed starting mix. Cover the seeds lightly with soil and water them well.
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and place the seeds in a warm, well-lit location.
The seeds should germinate in 4-8 weeks. Once the seedlings have reached a few inches in height, transplant them into individual pots or the garden.

How to transplant a Viburnum odoratissimum

Autumn is the best time for transplanting evergreen shrubs like Viburnum. The heat is a lot more forgiving in Autumn and the soil is still warm enough to encourage the roots to grow once you have transplanted your plant.

The first thing you must do is look and see how wide your plants canopy is. This enable you to determine how big your root ball is. Once you know this you can carefully dig in and gently around the Viburnum plant in a circular fashion building off your root ball.

It is important to not try to lift your plant too early. Once it feels loose you’re ready to lift the plant up out of the ground taking care to maintain as much of the root ball as possible.

The new hole should be about the size of the root ball, it’s very important not to plant the plant too deeply, if it is too deep you might have troubles down the track. I recommend you fill in around the plant with the soil that you dug out rather than new soil. Firm the top soil so you have good soil to root contact. Make a small raised donut around your plant to all water to reach the base of the plant. Water it in and then your Viburnum odoratissimum is ready to thrive in its new location.

How to fertilise Viburnum odoratissimum

If you are wondering what to feed Viburnum odoratissimum? I recommend to fertilise your plant in Spring with a slow release fertiliser. Its best for plants to have mulch applied also to help retain moisture in the soil. If your plant already has a base of mulch temporarily removed it to apply the fertiliser and replace once done. I like to water it well after fertilising but be sure to check the direction on the fertiliser you select also.

Viburnum odoratissimum common pests

Thrips and spider mites are key pests to keep an eye out for when it come to Viburnum. If you see your plants foliage starting to turn silver then look for these pests under the leaves and use an appropriate insecticide to control them.