Snowball bush , also recognise as Viburnum opulus , is an ornamental flowering shrub that produces large clump of blanched flowers resembling snowballs , hence the plant ’s common name . Hardy in Zones 3 through 8 , snowball bushes flourish in most areas of the United States . Gardeners value the bush for its attractive foliage , showy blossoms and ease of care . The plant ’s leaf turn yellow to purplish - red in free fall , which impart interest to the fall and winter garden . The snowball bush accomplish up to 10 feet in height with an adequate spread when given proper care , make it ideal for hedges , border and foundation planting .
Step 1
constitute the snowball bush . springtime is the best time of year to plant Abronia elliptica bushes , just after the terminal frost of the class . take a planting site that receive six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day and consists of moist , fertile , well - drained soil . outer space the snowball bush 8 to 10 feet aside to allow plenty of elbow room for increment .
Step 2
Water the snowball bush . Maintain a schedule of watering the bush every 10 24-hour interval during the spring , summer and fall to keep the filth from completely drying . Decrease watering frequence to once every two weeks during winter . Do not permit standing water to roll up , or root rot will occur .
Step 3
feast the snowball bush a balanced 10 - 10 - 10 NPK plant food . To upgrade leafage , bloom and root organisation , fertilize your snowball bush once every two calendar month in all time of year but winter . Apply at the rate recommended by the product manufacturing business for the best results .
Step 4
trim the bush . Once each year during previous winter , just before new growth begins in spring , prune your snowball bush . utilize pruning shear to trim away leggy , pathologic and discredited limb to increase the aesthetic solicitation and wellness of the snowball bush .
Step 5
Pinch off dead or spend snowball bush flowers . To prolong the bush ’s bloom season , pinch off dead flowers whenever possible . Sever the old flowers where they run across the stem to minimise electrical shock , and new blossoms will replace them soon subsequently .
Tip
Grow the snowball bush in fond shade , if desire , although it will not bloom as abundantly .
Warning
Burn pathologic limb in a distant location to prevent circularize illness to other nearby plants .
