Chinese Snowball Bush

Snowball Bush (Viburnum macrocephelum ‘sterile’) is a very showy, flowering ornamental that flowers in the early to mid spring depending on your location. The huge flowers start out lime green and turn a creamy white as the season progresses, starting to bloom in mid April and can last through June. Typically planted in USDA growing zones 6-9 (can also be successfully container grown) the Chinese Snowball bush are semi-evergreen in warm climates and fully deciduous in cooler climates. In warmer climates these will prefer afternoon shade to keep them out of the hot afternoon sun, but will thrive in full sun in cooler climates. Growing to an overall size of 12 feet tall/wide, these plants can be pruned to any shape or size after the blooming season.

Choosing a location: The Chinese snowball bush will perform well in either full sun or partial shade, depending on where you are located. In warmer climates, provide the plant with afternoon shade. In cooler areas, the snowball bush can take full sun. They prefer acidic, moist, well draining soil but can tolerate a wide variety of soil types.

Planting directions (In ground): Once you have chosen your location, it is time to plant.
1) Dig a hole that is 3 times the width of the container (the root ball), and just as deep.
2) Remove the plant from the container, lightly tapping it will help if the plant is stuck.
3) Gently comb the roots to loosen them, so that they spread out more quickly into their home.
4) Place the plant in the hole, so that the top of the rootball is even with the soil level.
5) Backfill with a mixture of 60% native soil and the remainder a quality compost or garden soil.
6) Water lightly every few inches as you backfill to remove any air pockets, water well when done, but do not saturate the area.
7) Mulch the area when done with a layer of mulch 2-3” thick and not quite touching the trunk of the plant. This helps to protect the roots from fluctuating temperatures as well as helping it to conserve moisture.

Planting directions (Potted): These plants can be kept in a container if you do not have room in your landscape.
1) You want to start the plants off in a container that is 1-2 sizes larger than the container it arrives in.
2) Use a quality, well draining potting soil to fill the container.
3) Remove the plant from the container and loosen the roots with your fingers.
4) Place the plant in the container so that it is at the same level that it was in the original container.
5) You will need to re-pot the plant about every season until the plant is in a container that is 20-24” across.

Watering (In Ground): The Snowball bush prefers moist, well draining soil, they don’t like to be saturated. Water the plants well after the soil has had the chance to dry out about 2 inches down. The frequency will vary depending on your climate and the weather conditions. They will need more water during times of excessive heat and drought. They will not need to be watered after they go dormant for the season or after the ground freezes.

(Potted): Water until the water flows through the drainage holes draining any excess from the catch tray if need. Allow the soil to dry about 2 inches down before watering again.

Fertilizing: Generally the snowball bush will not need a lot of additional fertilizer. To increase blooming, you can fertilize in the early spring with a high phosphorus fertilizer like bone meal or bloom booster. Look for the middle number of the formula to be higher than the others for the added boost of phosphorous (example: 5-25-10).

Pruning: Prune the snowball immediately after flowering for shape and to remove damaged or diseased limbs.