Really all you can do is wait. If there is stem dieback, but new growth from the roots, cut off the dead stuff and let it regrow.

If I may broaden the question of dealing with dieback (in my case from drought to andromedas), is transplsnting too risky?

if there was no insult to the root mass .. cold a foot into the soil ... then you will probably be very surprised how fast they can grow back ... if there was root damage.. them you will have to decide if removal is an option ...

wait until late spring to see what is dead.. and then remove it..

and you will probably have to come back in fall or next spring.. and do a little restructuring ... pruning at height can lead to explosive growth out there.. and without a strong trunk to support such.. it often leads to dropping... so you would go back and prune lower to the ground.. for better long term growth...

its called rejuvenation pruning.. google the term.. so you understand your future needs.. i wouldnt do it until next year.. whats the hurry ..

ken

Thanks everyone. I scratched off the bark of a few stems and there were a few places that were brown/gray but most of the branches were still green. Fingers crossed!

Hi @cvw_ky:

Where in the great central Kentucky Bluegrass do you reside? I have a passing interest in this spectacular genus of plants, and have a Pearlific chugging along in my landscape - among the 125+/- Viburnum taxa reveling in our treasured part of heaven. Shhh - don't tell anyone...

I think you have gotten sage advice to let the plant tell you what it wants to do, and don't be in a hurry to force the issue. If insufficient branches are alive and not enough buds open into leaves for you, you can wait till blooms are spent and then take after those plants with pruners.

You could also post some pictures of what is going on now. I'd also like to see what those plants looked like before That Difficult Time In December.

I don't think Pearlific exceeds the performance of Conoy in central Kentucky (Louisville, Lexington, Georgetown, Nicholasville).

All of mine have begun to leaf out and nothing looks any worse for having been through the winter- I have V. opulus, trilobum, dentatum, nudum, and a V. japonicum x V. dilatatum hybrid.

I'm up near Huntington.

I will say that over the years I have hacked at them something terrible and they always come back gangbusters looking no worse for the wear, and all of mine are in really tough conditions.

Yes, Viburnums can be pruned - lightly or severely - and with sufficient moisture and nutrients will generally continue on their merry way. A key is to understand timing with your particular species, and the effect that pruning will have on this year's performance, and/or next year's.

Pruning in winter or early spring will pretty much always cut off flower buds, thus my admonition to let the plant "show" you what it's going to do as it leafs out. We have had excess rains here, so I doubt your plant is showing any drought stress. If you know your plant's general fertility, then addition of a slow release granular fertilizer at label rates will give some extra oomph for recovery from the winter stress as well as from any pruning you decide to do.

If you do prune severely after leaf out and blooming, you will likely not have a fruit display this year. You should experience plenty of new bud breaks, and then you should observe the subsequent branching so that you can eliminate crossing/rubbing stems early in their growth.

Prune toward outward facing buds...

Thanks for the replies. I will wait...and try to be patient. See some pics below...

MAR-APR 2021

MAY 2022

TODAY (04/02/2023)

Thanks for the update. :-)

what in the world do you need matching plants for.. the 2/3s one will catch up next year.. and any planted this fall.. will catch up in a few years after planting..

i surely wouldnt replace otherwise healthy plants..

but alas.... it is your garden.. do as you please.. and the heck with the crazy guy behind the green curtain ...

ken

I'd start with 2 new ones. The existing one is already rooted while it will take a year or two for the new one to establish roots and grow well.

No way does the 2/3 one have to 'catch up' to a new plant.