Pardancanda - Viburnums

Hi John, first to let you know that the cuttings you sent me are doing very well - thanks again. And the other exciting news is that I've found 'my' Viburnum. It is called V. macrocephallum 'Sterile'. So much confusion over names, does it ever end!! Anyway, take a look at this site from Heronswood ...remember I told you that my shrub didn't have a scent but yours does......!!

http://www.heronswood.com/catalog/03792?fG78UC3R;;146

That's great, hope they continue to thrive. Mine has a very strong fragrance indeed! The photo does look like the huge heads of blooms. It occurs to me, belatedly, that while I was expecting seedheads, none ever seem to form. The flowers fade, and then the (leftover parts) fall off very cleanly.

So it all boils down to the fact that we are talking about two completely different shrubs. I never noticed about the lack of seeds since I had just moved into that house and then moved out the following year. The other difference in these two shrubs was the fact that 'my' viburnum started to show blooms in the late fall and continued into the Spring. Yours, on the other hand blooms in the Spring. But I'm happy to have the carcephalum and maybe soon the 'sterile' - then, if you like, I can offer you some cuttings.

Interesting. Do you remember if yours showed fall color? Mine stayed green very late, but it is in a sheltered position. Color was sort of a dark dull red.

I really can't remember. I have two viburnums growing really well, not the Chindo, the Mariesii cultivar. Both are about 5 x 5feet and still no flowers. Is this the norm?? Do they have to be a certain age in order to produce flowers?

I would expect flowers by the time the shrub reached that size! Now, when can I expect blooms on my Magnolia sieboldii?? If ever... My Viburnum was huge and in bloom when I brought it home. Was the first thing I planted at the new home!

lol - are we impatient or what!! Many magnolias don't bloom until they are at least between 3 to 5 years old, unless they have been grafted but sieboldii should bloom whilst still young.

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/magnolia_sieboldii.html

I'd like it to bloom while I am still young!

Can someone tell me how to take cuttings from the Viburnum?
(Chinese snowball)

Hi PinkSonya, maybe Louisa will see this, I am not good with cuttings. Also, you might wish to post your question on the Propagation Forum. Welcome to daves! John

Hello Sonya - you can take cuttings or you can layer the stems. If you have never done this before then I am linking you to some sites that I feel could be of help to you and explain it better than I could.

Layering....
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8701.html

Stem cuttings....
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8702.html

"Mid-summer is the perfect time to propagate many spring
flowering shrubs using semi-hardwood cuttings. Semi-hardwood is the current season's growth that has developed for several months and is beginning to become hard and woody.
The normal growth pattern of spring flowering shrubs starts with a large floral display in the spring. After flowering is complete, plants put on vegetative growth for several months.
During this vegetative phase plants grow in both height and
spread. This newly developed wood remains vegetative for several weeks and then switches into a reproductive phase. During the reproductive phase immature flower buds are formed and prepared for the upcoming spring. When spring arrives the flower buds complete their development and emerge, treating the gardener to a spectacular floral display.
Semi-hardwood cuttings should be taken after the vegetative
phase of growth is completed and before the reproductive phase begins. This narrow window of opportunity usually exists for approximately 6 - 8 weeks and commonly occurs from late May through early August. Since calendar dates can fluctuate tremendously due to climatic conditions, observe the plants and use the "snap test" to determine the correct propagation period.
Semi-hardwood cuttings should be mature, yet flexible. To
test the condition of the wood, harvest a stem tip cutting
approximately 3 - 4 inches long and slowly begin bending the
cutting in half. If the cutting "snaps" after bending
significantly, it's in the correct stage of growth. Cuttings that will not bend are too woody to use and cuttings that bend without snapping are too immature.
Viburnum, Forsythia, Korean spicebush, Daphne and Deutzia are all examples of spring flowering shrubs that can be propagated using semi-hardwood cuttings. Collect 3-inch-long terminal cuttings and remove the foliage from the lower half of the cutting. Treat the cuttings with 1000-3000 ppm IBA rooting hormone, stick into a well drained medium and place under mist. Rooting should occur within 6 - 12 weeks, depending on the plant species -- forsythia roots very quickly, whereas daphne is very slow.
Semi-hardwood propagation can be successfully done by novice
propagators. However, don't plan on propagating enough new
shrubs to landscape your yard in the near future. Newly
propagated shrubs will only be 3 inches tall and require years of growth to reach the size of shrubs sold at local nurseries. For example, a forsythia started from a semi-hardwood cutting takes at least 2 years to become the size of a 1 gallon nursery product and daphne will require at least 6 years to reach this size......
(Mary Ann Gowdy, Horticulture Specialist, Missouri Ext.)