If you are into home landscaping, viburnum is a go-to option for you. It’s a symbol of purity, innocence, and happiness. There are various species of viburnums, and each has different characteristics and growth rates.
Here is a guide about the growth of viburnum and other essential things you should know.
How fast does Viburnum grow?
Viburnum grows about 1 to 2 feet in a year. The growth depends on the species, care, and sometimes weather. Usually, the taller species of viburnum have a higher growth rate. They need about 3-4 years to reach mature height. They require less attention and care once settled.
Viburnums have a moderately slow to medium growth rate. It is hard to tell an exact growth rate for viburnum as there are many types. There are dowf viburnums, bushy viburnums, and also tall woody viburnums.
Viburnum flowers are eye-soothing and add different aesthetics to a landscape. There are about 150 species of viburnum, but about 5-6 are popular and widely planted.
If you care for the plants properly, the viburnums should grow about 1-2 feet in a growing season. Smaller viburnum plants have less growth. Smaller species of viburnums should grow around 1 foot a year.
Some other viburnums are medium-sized, and they are often used for fencing. You will need about two years to get a decent fence with viburnum. Viburnum fences need light pruning and all-day sunlight to grow faster.
Larger viburnums should grow about 2 feet if everything is correct. However, check the list below to learn about the growth rate and basic information about different viburnum species.
Brandywine viburnum:
Brandywine viburnum flowers are red to pinkish. They grow about 1.5 to 2 feet and turn about 5.5 to 6 feet in three years. Brandywine Viburnum has distinct red to black fruits, and its flower and fruit attract many birds and pollinators.
Sweet viburnum:
Sweet viburnum is among the giant viburnum species. It can grow about 15-25 feet tall, about 2 feet a year. It is moderately cold-tolerant and needs minimum care to thrive. Its flowers bloom in early to mid-spring.
Summer snowflake viburnum:
Summer snowflake viburnum grows 1-2 feet depending on the conditions. They can grow up to seven feet. It is also known as viburnum palicatum and originated in China and Japan. It is also among the popular viburnum species.
Prague viburnum:
Prague viburnum can grow up to 24 inches a year. It can grow about 8 to 12 feet and has a bushy appearance.
Prague viburnum is an evergreen plan and needs full sun. Like all the viburnum, it is deer resistant.
Alleghany viburnum:
Alleghany viburnum is relatively slow-growing. It can grow about 10-12 feet on average, 1-2 feet a year. It has creamy white flowers that bloom in the spring. The flowers are smaller than other species of viburnum.
Korean spice viburnum:
Korean spice viburnum is a smaller species of viburnum. They grow about 1- 1.5 feet a year and reach maturity in three years. 5-8 feet is the average size of Korean spice viburnum.
Snowball viburnum:
As the name suggests, snowball viburnum blooms white round flowers. On average, it grows about 10 feet, 1-2 feet a year. It is easy to grow and low a maintenance plants.
Slightly acidic soil and proper drainage are necessary for them. It is also known as Viburnum Burkwoodi.
Arrowwood viburnum:
Arrowwood viburnum grows 13-24 inches a year. It grows better in high sunlight. Like all the viburnum, they are safe for pets, although their fruit can be mildly toxic to humans. They are also known as Viburnum bodnantense.
Doublefire Viburnum:
Doublefire viburnum grows wider than taller. It can grow 6-8 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide. The growth rate is 1-2 feet a year. If you don’t have enough space, you can prune the plants every season to keep them in shape.
Viburnum Tinus:
Viburnum tinus is among the shortest viburnum species. It can grow about 3-4 feet on average, 12-18 inches a year. The flowers have a slight vanilla flavor, ideal for small gardens.
Viburnum odoratissimun:
It is a mid-sized viburnum species that grows 4-6 feet on average, 12-10 inches a year. It is relatively fast-growing compared to its size and grows best in acidic soil. They are evergreen and bloom in late spring to early summer.
Viburnum opulus:
Viburnum opulus is native to Europe, Africa, and North America. It is a hardy, easy-growing plant that can become 5 feet on average, 12-18 inches a year. It is also known as guelder rose.
Viburnum sespensum:
Viburnum sespensum can grow about 10-12 feet on average, 2 feet a year in ideal condition. Unlike other species of viburnum, they need regular watering for the best growth. They are evergreen and bloom in the spring.
Viburnum emerald lustre:
It can grow about 2 meters, 1-2 feet a year. They are moderately fast-growing and evergreen. Viburnum emerald lustre is also used for fencing.
Are viburnum slow-growing?
Yes, viburnums are slow-growing. They do not usually grow more than 2 feet in a year. They grow most in the spring to fall. Their growth reduces in the winter as their metabolism becomes slower in the cold.
Some viburnums are relatively fast-growing than other species, although you still can’t expect a lot of growth from fast growers. All you can do is take proper care of the plants.
Viburnums are very hardy types of plants, needing very little care. Slight acidic soil, a proper drainage system, and good sunlight are required for optimum growth.
After planting viburnum, they need some extra care. Water the newly planted plants every day for a month. After the plant settles down, watering once a month will be enough. They can live in low-fertilizer soil, but fertilizing three times a year is needed for their best growth.
The full-day sun is best for their growth. They grow faster and bloom more if they get proper sunlight. It is possible to plant them in partial shade.
What is the fastest-growing viburnum?
Prague viburnum is the fastest-growing species of viburnum. They grow up to 2 feet a year and consistently grow to 10 feet. Other larger species of viburnum are also suitable if you desire fast growth. However, Prague viburnum is best for fast-growing and fast blooming too.
Prague viburnum is deer resistant and grows best in the full sunlight. Viburnum plants with dark green leaves mean they get proper sunlight. You can also grow Prague viburnum in the shade, but it will not bloom regularly.
They need wet soil with good drainage. Once the plant becomes stable, it can live even without water for months. 5.5 to 6.5 is the suitable soil PH for the Prague viburnum. Moderately fertilized soil is enough for their growth.
How can I make my viburnum grow faster?
Viburnums are relatively easy to grow and care for compared with other ornamental plants. If a viburnum plant gets suitable conditions and care, it can grow about 24 inches a year. Here are some tips for faster growth.
Spacing:
Spacing is essential for the faster growth of the viburnum. At least 4 feet of distance is needed for each viburnum plant. Some viburnums grow wider than other species. You can either prune the plant or provide more space for them.
Spacing is needed for proper nutrient absorption. If you plant more plants in a small space, they will compete for light, space, and nutrients, leading to poor growth.
Water:
The Viburnum plant usually does not need a lot of water. Water the plants once a month or when the soil lacks moisture. Young plants need regular watering for a few months.
Light:
The more sun viburnum gets, the better it grows. They also grow decently in partial shade. If you are fencing with viburnum, you can plant them in the shade. The viburnum leaves look great when they grow in the shade.
The problem is they don’t bloom without direct sun.
Fertilizer:
Any type of moderately fertilized soil is suitable for viburnum. For best growth, apply fertilizer three times a year. They require a balanced fertilizer with nitrogen and phosphorus.
How long does it take for viburnum to reach maturity?
Usually, most viburnums need three years to reach maturity. Smaller species of viburnums reach maturity faster, while larger species like sweet viburnum can take a bit more time to mature.
When a viburnum gets to 6 feet, you can call it a mature plant. If your viburnum plants are older than three years but still do not look mature, the plant may not get the proper nutrients to grow.
Final thoughts
Most of the viburnums are slow growers and grow 1-2 feet on average. The growth rate of viburnum depends more on the condition such as soil type, sunlight, water availability, and drainage. Once a viburnum plant matures, it becomes pretty hardy and stable in different situations.