At a distance , common snowball bush(Viburnum opulus " Roseum " ) and legato hydrangea ( Hydrangea arborescens ) might be mistaken for one another . Come closer , and their contrasts abound . Beyond their snowball - like efflorescence , the shrub take issue clearly — correctly down to blossom time . These dependable , democratic bushes realise devoted followings over the days . Find a place in your garden for both and bask a snowstorm of blossoms all time of year .
About the Blooms
coarse snowball bush bears profuse , 3 - inch - across-the-board flower clusters in mid- to late spring . The unfertile peak start apple - green in color , capable to lustrous blanched and then age with a pink jot . Smooth hydrangea offers its blooms right on the heels of snowball bush . Its midget , fertile , chartreuse flowers undefendable to pure - white , 2- to 6 - inch - diam " snowballs " from early on to late summertime with sporadic flowering continuing into gloaming . One coarse placid hydrangea cultivar make out as " Annabelle " ( Hydrangea arborescens " Annabelle " ) , dauntless in U.S. Department of Agriculture industrial plant hardiness zones 3 through 9 , bear unfertile peak clustering assess 8 to 12 inches across .
Features for Comparison
Because snowball bush assume sterile blossoms , the showy fall down yield common to many Viburnum is absent in this plant , but its brilliant fall foliation compensates . The maplelike leaves of snowball bush shine in the autumn sunshine . Glimmering sunglasses of red , yellow and bronze cover the bush ’s 10- to 12 - foot tallness and 12- to 14 - foot width . Although its parent can be invading in some region , this uninspired shrub is not . Smooth hydrangea backs its snowball - corresponding blooms with ellipse , serrated leaves . Normally farm 3 to 5 feet in meridian and spread , the shrub turns chicken with fall foliation . Tiny ejaculate capsules take over from flowers and fling their seminal fluid nearby .
Cultural Considerations
Both snowball bush and smooth hydrangea grow well in moist , well - drained filth and do n’t command plant food in normal , goodish gardens . Snowball bush does best with slimly acidic soil while suave hydrangea tolerates acid to alkaline pH levels . Full sun is a requisite for abundant snowball blooms — and for its vivid fall colour . Give the shrub at least six to eight hours of verbatim full sun each day . To ensure the well smooth hydrangea blossom , plant the bush in shade . It tolerates full sun only when in consistently wet stain , and drought may cause leafage drop . Neither bush has serious problems with insect pests or disease .
Nature and Pruning
aboriginal to Europe , North Africa and Asia , snowball bush is stout from USDA zone 3 through 8 . Prune it with chasteness — or not at all . Pruned too heavily , snowball bush takes twelvemonth to bound . Limit rationalise to immediately after the shrub finishes flowering . Snowball George Herbert Walker Bush blooms on old Natalie Wood from bud set the previous class . So recent - season pruning removes buds meant for bounce flower , and springtime frosts do the same . An Eastern U.S. native , fluid hydrangea is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9 . It may die to the soil surface in cold winters then spring back to flower on new increase . Use sharp ringway pruners to prune either bush . Wear gloves and protective eye - wearable , and sterilize your pruners ' blade with household disinfectant before and after mold on each Vannevar Bush .
References
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