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Frosty Morn

Woke up to 27 degrees and a heavy frost. It has turned out to be a pretty sunny day with a high of 45. Except for stepping out briefly to get some photos, I've not been motivated to go out. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Chinese snowball


Speaking of viburnums, here is another popular variety that is truly a traffic stopper. Chinese Snowball (Viburnum macrocephalum) features the big pom-pom type blooms that start out pale green and mature to sparkling snow white. It is a fast grower and will attain great heights in only a few years. This shrub is about twelve years old and towers about 12 feet. I've started pruning it since most of the blooms are appearing near the top but I've yet to find clear instructions on how best to do this. I plan to reduce some of the older limbs this year after the blooms fade.

Apparently this was once hard to locate in nurseries. I've received countless e-mails inquiring where to buy it but those are dwindling now so perhaps they are now easier to find.
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  1. Roses and LilacsApril 13, 2009 at 7:29 AM

    Beautiful. They don't have a long bloom period but they really put on a show for a brief time. Some of my favorite shrubs.
    Marnie

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  2. Leigh RussellApril 13, 2009 at 11:15 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  3. RandyApril 13, 2009 at 11:25 AM

    Great picture! I love the combo! Wenus says hello! :-)

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  4. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)April 13, 2009 at 11:27 AM

    Seems one of the comments above is a bit of a hijack.

    Beautiful photo Phillip. I like the statue in front of the viburnum.

    Rob

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  5. DaveApril 13, 2009 at 12:04 PM

    The positioning of the statue and the flowers make it seem as if there is a thought bubble coming from the statue! I wonder what she is thinking? Maybe "now where have my arms gone?"

    Beautiful plant, I love viburnums!

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  6. Monica the Garden FaerieApril 13, 2009 at 12:06 PM

    I like the way the balls seem to be falling down onto or floating up out of the statue's head. I do love viburnums and this one is, as you say, a show stopper.

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  7. GailApril 13, 2009 at 1:01 PM

    Viburnums surly offer a shrub for every gardener and every garden. These look to formal for my wilderness, but they look lovely in your garden. Twelve feet tall and still growing! Be careful on that ladder when pruning this tall guy! gail

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  8. Lisa at GreenbowApril 13, 2009 at 3:35 PM

    THis is a gorgeous viburnum. I love the statue in front too. Great composition.

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  9. Bren HaasApril 13, 2009 at 5:30 PM

    These are beautiful! My seeds are doing so well. I will forever be grateful for the information you gave me back at : http://momingarden.blogspot.com/2009/03/ordering-who-do-you-trust.html

    Happy Spring Dear Garden Friend.

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  10. Catherine@AGardenerinProgressApril 13, 2009 at 9:35 PM

    I love the snowball bushes. I have one that's still got a while until it blooms. I'm not sure what variety it is, the blooms don't get nearly that big.

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  11. F CameronApril 14, 2009 at 5:02 AM

    My neighbor has one and it is glorious right now! I am so envious!

    Cameron

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  12. UnknownApril 14, 2009 at 7:37 AM

    lovely photo! I have never heard of that one. I will have to hunt it down.

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  13. Annie in AustinApril 14, 2009 at 8:40 AM

    This looks like a relative of the old Snowball bushes that were in every yard when I was a kid. They bloom with such abandon - no holding back.
    Must have been tough, too, because we dreadful children used to pull off the flowers to throw at each other in floral snowball fights.

    Wish I had one now!

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  14. SusanApril 14, 2009 at 8:45 AM

    These virburnums are as stunning as hydrangeas - just beautiful!

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  15. GrannaApril 14, 2009 at 11:08 AM

    I have three of these from Lowe's in Tupelo, MS that I planted last year and they are doing great, getting ready to bloom. I love them!

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  16. JulenaJoApril 14, 2009 at 3:48 PM

    Stunning! I want a snowball bush in my yard but haven't yet found them in any of the local nurseries. I love how big this one gets. Thanks for sharing!

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  17. LesApril 14, 2009 at 6:35 PM

    I usually am able to get these for the nursery, coincidentally enough from a grower in Alabama. They go unnoticed until someone sees them blooming around town and comes in looking for that "big green hydrangea".

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