Viburnum 'Buldenezh': growing and care

Viburnum is one of the most popular trees in Russia. Songs are written about it, and it decorates parks and city streets. The Bldenezh variety of viburnum has been known since the time of Catherine the Great. Its lush, large, snow-white blossoms give it its name: translated from the native language of the variety's creator, the Frenchman Lemoine, it means "snowball."

Description of the variety

The Boule de Neige viburnum is a member of the broad genus Viburnum genus. It can grow up to four meters tall. This lush, long-blooming tree bears fruit for fifty years. Balls of white flowers bloom in the first months of summer and remain on the branches for two to four weeks.

The first characteristic of this variety is that the flowers begin with greenish hues, then gradually transition to pure white. The magnificent display of colors culminates in pink hues.

Another distinctive feature of the Viburnum buldenezh is that it has absolutely no smell.

The tree's roots are located close to the surface of the soil layer, so although the variety is considered winter-hardy, it can be partially damaged during harsh and snowless Russian winters.

Landing

Proper planting of viburnum seedlings is essential for long-lasting blooms and longevity. This variety thrives best in consistently moist soil. It doesn't tolerate dark spots; it requires partial shade during the day.

Planting seedlings should be done in the off-season, preferably on cloudy but warm spring and autumn days. Buldenezh will likely fail to root in high summer temperatures and under direct, scorching sun.

To plant a young tree, you need to start early. The prepared hole in the soil should be half a meter wide and the same depth. Rocks (broken brick or coarse crushed stone) mixed with river sand serve as drainage, which will serve as the base for the planting.

For the plant to take root, it needs a nutrient-rich medium. To create this, mix compost with soil from nearby garden beds, then add a complex fertilizer and ash. Collect half of the resulting mixture into a small pile in the hole. Place the prepared seedling in this pile. Spread the plant's root system along the edges of the hole, lightly burying the root collar. Fill the hole with the remaining mixture.

After planting, water the roots. The solution will settle at the base of the seedling. You can raise the soil surface by adding soil from the garden. The final step in planting is mulching the root zone. This helps retain moisture at the roots and provide oxygen.

According to the standard, each tree should have at least four to four and a half meters of space. If other trees are in close proximity, the viburnum's crown will not be able to develop fully.

Care

Caring for this plant is not difficult. Traditional pruning of broken and frozen branches is done in early spring, and in late fall, gardeners remove all diseased shoots and any damaged branches.

Before winter approaches, you can perform corrective pruning to maintain or improve the crown's shape. It's during these times that the tree will transition smoothly into a shrub: simply cut it back to the desired height for the shrub. In the spring, the remaining stump will produce abundant shoots.

Incidentally, shoots will also emerge from the root system. Unless the gardener aims to grow a living green wall with globes of white inflorescences, such branches should be removed in the spring. Treat the cut site with copper sulfate and apply a layer of garden pitch.

In mid-autumn, the viburnum should be thoroughly watered. A generous supply of water will stimulate root growth. It will also strengthen the tree and its roots, making it easier for the viburnum to survive the winter frosts.

Fertilizer

Buldenezh, like other garden trees, requires fertilization. Flowering and fruiting directly depend on this. The nutrient mixture supplied to the seedling during planting provides it with the strength to thrive for the first couple of years.

Then comes nitrogen fertilizers, which are effective for spring plant fertilization. However, compost can be used at this time. Also, in early spring, to promote vigorous flowering, treat the branches with a fertilizer containing boron. Autumn fertilizers primarily include fertilizers with increased phosphorus and potassium levels.

There are two acceptable methods for adding nutrients. First, sprinkle the fertilizer around the trunk, mix it with the soil with a rake, and pour a couple of watering cans onto the roots. Second, dig several holes in the ground near the trunk with a garden auger, going 25-30 centimeters deep. Take the fertilizer and carefully read the instructions. Spread the prescribed amount of powder between the holes, cover, and water thoroughly.

Reproduction

Buldenezh is mainly propagated vegetatively:

• layering;
• dividing the plant;
• cuttings in the summer.

Layers

The first method is suitable for spring propagation. To transplant, bend a branch from a growing viburnum bush to the ground and secure it in a pre-dug hole. To encourage rooting, cover the shoot with compost and water thoroughly. The soil around the shoot should be kept constantly moist.

More or less viable roots form only after 4-5 months. They are now capable of surviving the winter, but not on their own. They can be separated from the trunk no sooner than a couple of years after rooting.

Dividing viburnum

This procedure is performed in the summer. It requires damp, cloudy weather: dividing the root system is always stressful for the plant, causing mechanical injury. The uniqueness of this approach lies in the fact that only plants that grow in a bush form are suitable, which means many shoots emerge from the ground.

To divide, dig up the roots with a shovel and separate the root system so that each component contains active shoots and roots. Each plant is spaced 2 meters apart. After dividing, water the plants generously.

cuttings

In early June, when last year's elongated branches are pruned, gardeners have a large amount of planting material at their disposal. Single-node cuttings (seven to eight centimeters long) take three summer months to root and establish themselves in the soil.

To plant these cuttings, you'll need compost or river sand free of excess debris. In an outdoor greenhouse, form a bed of compost (7-20 cm thick) and add sand on top. The cuttings, planted a couple of centimeters deep, are covered with arches and covered with two layers of agrofibre. Water these plantings with warm water for at least a couple of weeks.

The last method of propagation for Viburnum buldenezh is the most painless and fastest.

Pests and diseases

Viburnum buldenezh is associated with three pests:

• aphid;
• scale insect;
• leaf beetle.

In addition, trees are often affected by powdery mildew and spotting.

Aphid

Aphids damage not only the leaves but also the snow-white globes of viburnum blossoms. The most destructive insect for this variety is incompatible with spraying the bush with a mixture of tobacco and green soap or a solution of water and regular laundry soap. After spraying, do not rinse the mixture off.

There are also chemical pest control products. They should be used strictly according to the instructions. Preventative measures are carried out twice per season: at the end of May and at the end of August.

Scale insect

To prevent scale insects from appearing on the branches of the buldenezh plant, dilute ordinary ash and laundry soap. Garlic infusion is also suitable. Apply the treatment twice per season, similar to aphid spraying. Chemical treatments recommended include Actara and Agrovertin.

Leaf beetle

The main method of controlling this pest is preventative measures. Chemical treatments are recommended in May and October, and throughout the season, increased attention should be paid to affected foliage and shoots. Branches should be pruned promptly and promptly, and leaves plucked. These measures will help prevent the spread of the leaf beetle.

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Powdery mildew

To prevent this fungus from spreading, ensure the tree canopy is not densely packed and the grass near the trunk is mown. If signs of powdery mildew become visible, the affected areas should be sprayed with copper sulfate (0.5% solution) or Bordeaux mixture. This treatment is most effective in the spring, before the leaves emerge. Folk remedies recommend using a solution of water and garlic or onion.

Following our tips will help you grow luxurious snowballs of Viburnum buldenezh in your garden. This ornamental plant will delight you for 50 years, blooming with snow-white flowers year after year.