How to Grow Sweet Viburnum Hedge - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Sweet viburnum hedge is an attractive, fast-growing shrub that is perfect for use as a hedge or screen. It can grow up to 15 feet tall and is covered in small, white flowers in the spring. The flowers are followed by blue-black berries that are popular with birds.

How to Grow Sweet Viburnum Hedge - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • Waxleaf Ligustrum
  • Southern Wax myrtle
  • Shiny leaf privet
  • Chinese privet
  • Common privet

Basic info

  • Sweet viburnum is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 15 feet tall.
  • It has dark green leaves that are 3-6 inches long and 2-3 inches wide.
  • Sweet viburnum produces small, white flowers in clusters.
  • The flowers are followed by small, black berries.
  • Sweet viburnum is native to Asia, but it has been introduced to North America.
  • It is often used as an ornamental plant in yards and gardens.
  • Sweet viburnum is relatively easy to care for and can tolerate a range of soil conditions.
  • It prefers full sun to partial shade and needs to be watered regularly.
  • Sweet viburnum is susceptible to a number of diseases and pests, including powdery mildew, aphids, and scale insects.
  • It is generally considered to be low-maintenance and can be a good choice for gardeners who do not want to spend a lot of time caring for their plants.

Related plant:
Sweet Almond Bush

How to Grow

  1. For sweet viburnum hedge, first step is to find the right location. The best spot is one that gets full sun in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon.
  2. Sweet viburnum can also tolerate partial shade, but it will grow slower and produce fewer flowers.
  3. Prepare the soil by loosening it with a shovel and adding some organic matter such as compost or manure.
  4. Sweet viburnum can be propagated from seed, but it is easier to start with nursery-grown plants.
  5. Select a plant that is at least 2 years old and has a good root system.
  6. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
  7. Place the plant in the hole and backfill with soil, tamping it down gently as you go.
  8. Water the plant well and mulch around it with straw, hay, or wood chips.
  9. Sweet viburnum can also be trained into a hedge. To do this, space plants 2 to 3 feet apart and trim them as needed to keep them the desired height and shape.
  10. Sweet viburnum is generally pest and disease free, but it can be susceptible to scale insects and powdery mildew.

Related plant:
Sweet Pea Bush

Soil Condition

About soil condition, sweet viburnum hedge can grow in average, well-drained soil, but prefer slightly acidic, sandy loam. Full sun is the best exposure for sweet viburnum, but it will tolerate some shade, especially if the soil is kept moist.

Light condition

Not too different with other viburnum, sweet viburnum hedge will do best in full sun to part shade. It is a fast growing hedge that can get up to 6 feet tall. Sweet viburnum hedge is a great plant for privacy screening or as a backdrop in the landscape.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition that is ideal for sweet viburnum hedge is between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because the hedge can experience growth during this temperature range and the leaves will be able to absorb more sunlight. If the temperature is too cold, the hedge may not be able to grow as much and the leaves will not be able to absorb as much sunlight. If the temperature is too hot, the hedge may experience leaf scorch, which is when the leaves turn brown and dry out.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 50%. If the humidity level drops below 30%, the leaves may start to turn brown and drop off. If the humidity level rises above 70%, the leaves may start to turn yellow and drop off.

Fertilizer Requirement

Regarding fertilizer, this family of plant doesn't need a lot. In fact, too much fertilizer can actually harm the plant. The best way to provide nutrients to a sweet viburnum hedge is through the roots. This can be done by top dressing the soil with compost or manure every few years.

Plant Pruning

Pruning is an important part of keeping your sweet viburnum hedge looking its best. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. You should remove any dead or diseased branches, as well as any that are crossing or rubbing against each other. You can also trim back the hedge to the desired shape and size.

The Propagation

Propagation is best accomplished through semi-ripe cuttings taken in late summer. The cuttings should be about 6 inches long and should be taken from new growth. Cuttings should be placed in a moist, well-drained rooting medium and placed under mist. Cuttings will root in 4 to 6 weeks. Once rooted, the plants can be transplanted to their permanent location.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate well in full sun to partial shade. In fact, they can even tolerate deep shade, although they may not bloom as profusely in those conditions. They prefer a moist, well-drained soil but are tolerant of a wide range of soils, including clay. Sweet viburnum are generally slow-growing when young, but once they reach maturity, they can grow quite rapidly.

The Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are?mildew, leaf spots, and root rot. To prevent these diseases, water the hedge?deeply and regularly during dry weather. Fertilize in early spring with a?slow-release fertilizer.

Basics of Growing

  • Remember to water sweet viburnum regularly, especially during the first few years after planting.
  • Sweet viburnum can be pruned to maintain a desired shape or size.
  • Fertilize sweet viburnum every year or two with a balanced fertilizer.
  • Sweet viburnum does best in full sun to partial shade.
  • Be sure to plant sweet viburnum in an area with well-drained soil.
  • Sweet viburnum is somewhat tolerant of drought conditions once it is established.
  • Sweet viburnum is generally pest and disease free.
  • Deer tend to avoid sweet viburnum.
  • Sweet viburnum can be used as a hedge, screen, or specimen plant.
  • Sweet viburnum can be propagated by rooting softwood cuttings or by seed.

Similar Plants

  • Glory Bower Clerodendrum trichotomum
  • Summer Snowflake Leucojum aestivum
  • Laughing Bamboo Pleioblastus simonii
  • Korean Sweet Flag Acorus gramineus
  • Pygmy Sweet Flag Acorus pusillus
  • Daurian Sweet Flag Acorus dauricus
  • Maidenhair fern Adiantum capillus-veneris
  • Christmas Fern Adiantum capillus-veneris
  • Southern Maidenhair Fern Adiantum capillus-veneris
  • Spring Beauty Claytonia virginica

Source:
Sweet Viburnum - Tree selection - Landscape plants - Edward F.
Viburnum lentago - North Carolina State University
Viburnum odoratissimum: Sweet Viburnum - University of Florida

Richelle Author Photo
Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category