How far apart should you plant viburnum?

Viburnums: How Much Elbow Room Do They Really Need?

Viburnums. Aren’t they just fantastic? I mean, seriously, these flowering shrubs are like the chameleons of the garden world – beautiful, adaptable, and relatively low-maintenance. With a crazy number of varieties – over 150, can you believe it? – there’s a viburnum out there for practically every landscaping need. Hedges, screens, standalone showstoppers, wildlife havens… you name it. But here’s the thing: getting the spacing right when you plant them is key to keeping them happy and healthy.

So, how much room should you give these guys? Well, first things first: you have to know what you’re working with. I can’t stress this enough. Before you even think about digging a hole, do your homework on the specific viburnum you’ve chosen. Seriously, mature sizes vary wildly. You’ve got the little runts that barely top two feet, and then you’ve got the giants that can hit 20 feet or more. Knowing that expected height and width is the absolute foundation for figuring out the right spacing.

And it’s not just about size, either. You’ve gotta think about how these plants grow. Some, like the Arrowwood Viburnum, start out all upright and proper, but then they get older and start spreading out like they own the place. Others, like the Sweet Viburnum, stay pretty upright and can even be trained into small trees. Knowing whether your viburnum is going to be a hugger or a loner will seriously impact how much space it needs. Most viburnums grow at a decent clip – think a foot or two a year – but some of the compact ones take their sweet time.

Okay, so let’s get down to brass tacks. A general rule of thumb? Space viburnums about 4 to 10 feet apart. But honestly, that’s just a starting point. The real answer depends on a few things.

• Size Matters (Duh!): This is the big one. Space them so they won’t be all up in each other’s business when they’re fully grown. Nobody likes a crowded shrub.
• What’s the Goal?: Are you going for a super-dense hedge that nobody can see through? Then you can pack them in a little tighter. Want a standalone beauty that can show off its natural shape? Give it some room to breathe.
• How Fast Are We Talking?: A viburnum that’s going to shoot up like a rocket needs more space from the get-go than one that’s going to take its time.

Alright, let’s get specific. Here are some rough guidelines for different situations:

• Hedges: Thinking a nice, neat viburnum hedge? Plant them about 1.5 feet apart. Think of it as two plants per meter if you prefer metric.
• Screens: Need a living wall to block out the neighbors? Give them 3 to 5 feet between plants.
• Specimen Plants: This is where it gets tricky. It really depends on the species. A Walter’s Viburnum, which can get huge, needs way more space than a little dwarf variety like ‘Mrs. Schiller’s Delight’.

Now, a quick word on planting. Dig a hole that’s twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper. You want the top of the root ball to be level with the ground. Backfill, pat it down gently, and give it a good watering.

And hey, a few other things to keep in mind:

• Sunshine: Most viburnums are sun-worshippers, but they can handle a little shade. Make sure they’re getting enough light for their liking.
• Soil: They’re not super picky, but they do prefer well-drained soil that’s got some good stuff in it.
• Future Planning: Think about how big that viburnum is going to get, and where you’re planting it. You don’t want it growing into your house or blocking the driveway. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen. Pruning is a thing, but it’s better to avoid the problem in the first place.

So, there you have it. Give your viburnums the space they need, and they’ll reward you with years of beauty and enjoyment. Happy planting!