How to Care for Chinese Snowball Shrubs

Chinese snowball shrubs (Viburnum macrocephalum), also called Chinese snowball viburnum, grow up to 20 feet tall and have a spread of up to 15 feet. They produce 6- to 8-inch bloom clusters each spring. The flowers are vibrant green when they first appear and gradually change to pure white as each tiny bloom in the cluster unfolds. The foliage of the Chinese snowball shrub is evergreen in mild climates and deciduous in cooler regions. They grow best in full or part sun and soil that drains well.

Spade
Organic mulch
Organic compost
Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Dig a hole three times the width of the Chinese snowball's root system and equal its depth. Mix 2 inches of organic compost with the soil removed from the planting hole, if drainage is questionable.
- 2
  Position the root ball in the hole and refill with half of the loose soil. Water just until it settles over the roots. Replace the remaining soil and water again, until the soil feels very moist.
- 3
  Place a 2-inch layer of organic mulch beneath the Chinese snowball shrub.
- 4
  Water when less than 1 inch of rain falls during a week, from spring until fall. No supplemental moisture is necessary during winter.
- 5
  Add nutrients to the soil each spring by scraping off the mulch and spreading 2 inches of organic compost under the shrub. Cover the compost with a fresh layer of mulch.
- 6
  Snip off damaged branches anytime you observe them.
- 7
  Prune in late spring or early summer, after the blooms fade, to eliminate the oldest growth and maintain an attractive form.
- 8
  Examine the foliage often for signs of insect infestation or disease. These include leaf spots or damage as well as discolored or dropped foliage. Consult your local extension office for diagnosis and treatment options if you see a problem.

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