Can Viburnum Survive Cold & Frost? (Viburnum Cold Hardiness Zones)

Viburnum is a shrub that shows off with its beautiful blooms. The flowers cannot survive frost, but what about the plant itself?

So, can viburnum survive cold & frost? Viburnum can survive frost (32 Fahrenheit or 0 Celsius), but it has no flowers in winter (except Bodnant Viburnum). Many viburnums tolerate severe cold, able to survive in USDA Hardiness Zone 6 (down to -10 Fahrenheit or -23 Celsius). Some can even survive in Zone 3 (at or below -40 Fahrenheit or -40 Celsius!)

Certain viburnum varieties tolerate cold much better than others. There are over 20 varieties that are hardy to USDA Zone 4a (-30 Fahrenheit).

In this article, we’ll talk about how much cold viburnum can withstand – and also what happens when it gets too cold.

Let’s get started.

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Can Viburnum Survive Cold & Frost? (Viburnum Cold Hardiness)

Many types of viburnum can survive cold – possibly more intense cold than you realize! This tough plant can survive frost and freezing in places that see many months of cold temperatures.

Many viburnum varieties will be fine in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through Zone 8. Zone 6 can see temperatures as cold as -10 Fahrenheit (-23 Celsius).

Some viburnum species (such as Viburnum cassinoides or Viburnum lantanoides) can survive in Zone 3, where temperatures can drop as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 degrees Celsius) in winter.

Other viburnums (such as Viburnum tinus or Viburnum suspensum) can only tolerate Zone 8, where temperatures reach a minimum of 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 degrees Celsius).

viburnum opulus — Viburnums species vary quite a bit in the amount of cold they can tolerate.

Remember that Zone 3 is cooler than Zone 4, and Zone 4 is cooler than Zone 5, and so on. (You can look at a map to find your hardiness zone – and learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones – here).

Clearly, viburnum can survive intense cold in winter! Still, preparation is the key if you want your plants to survive winter in cold areas and thrive in spring.

Can Viburnum Tolerate Frost?

Viburnum can tolerate frost. Frost is a temperature of about 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) – the freezing/melting point of water. Many types of viburnum can withstand temperatures well into negative territory (with some surviving intense cold temperatures of -40 Fahrenheit or -40 Celsius).

There is no need to worry about viburnum due to frost or freezes. However, if you live in USDA Zone 1 or 2 (or warmer for certain viburnum types), you will need to do something to protect your plants from cold.

What Is The Lowest Temperature Viburnum Can Tolerate?

Most viburnums can survive in temperatures as cold as -10 degrees Fahrenheit (-23 degrees Celsius).

Some types of viburnum can tolerate temperatures down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 degrees Celsius).

If you grow viburnum in a pot, you can bring it inside for the winter to avoid the worst cold. You can also use a row cover on cold nights to keep the plant a little warmer (a heavy row cover can provide 6 to 10 degrees of frost protection).

If you live in Zone 8, choose viburnum species that are hardy to Zone 8 (10 Fahrenheit).

If you live in Zone 7, choose viburnum species that are hardy to Zone 7 (0 Fahrenheit).

If you live in Zone 6, choose viburnum species that are hardy to Zone 6 (-10 Fahrenheit).

If you live in Zone 5, choose viburnum species that are hardy to Zone 5 (-20 Fahrenheit).

If you live in Zone 4, choose viburnum species that are hardy to Zone 4 (-30 Fahrenheit).

If you live in Zone 3, choose viburnum species that are hardy to Zone 3 (-40 Fahrenheit).

If you live in Zone 2, choose viburnum species that are hardy to Zone 3 (-40 Fahrenheit) and use a heavy row cover to give them a chance to survive in winter.

If you live in Zone 1, you might have to keep viburnum in pots and put them indoors during the coldest months.

viburnum lantana — In a very cold area, you might want to keep viburnum in a pot and bring it indoors for winter.

Viburnum Winter Care

You don’t need to worry too much about viburnum bushes at any time, including winter. They need very little care once established.

You can prune them if necessary – that is, to remove branches that died (or are diseased/damaged). Just make sure to prune at the right time! Otherwise, you might prevent your plant from blooming (or you will cut off the flowers).

pruning shears — Prune off dead or damaged branches from viburnum, but don’t overdo it, lest you remove the flower buds.

Pruning viburnum in early spring or late fall will remove flower buds, eliminating the possibility of flowers from those buds. For best results, prune viburnum right after it blooms.

Avoid over fertilizing – as with many plants, too much nitrogen encourages plant growth but not many flowers.

A harsh winter can damage viburnum and prevent flowering – at least during the next year. Check your USDA zone and compare it to your viburnum’s hardiness zones.

snow drift — Severe cold or heavy snowfall can damage viburnum and prevent flowers in the following spring and summer.

Some types of viburnum resist drought. You might want to choose from these varieties for a water-wise (drought tolerant) landscape.

In extreme drought conditions, a mulch of wood chips retains soil moisture.

In USDA Hardiness Zones 8 and warmer, you can leave viburnum out for the winter. It will survive, despite the cold.

In USDA Hardiness Zones 5 or 6, you will need to cover (or bring indoors) some viburnum species that are only hardy to Zone 7.

In USDA Hardiness Zone 3 or 4, you will need to cover (or bring indoors) many viburnum species that are only hardy to Zones 5 or 6.

In USDA Hardiness Zone 2, choose viburnums that are hardy to Zone 3 (-40 Fahrenheit) and use a heavy row cover to protect them from cold. This gives them a chance to survive winter outdoors (you can also grow them in pots and bring them inside).

In USDA Hardiness Zone 1, you probably have no choice but to keep viburnum in pots and bring them indoors during the coldest part of winter.

viburnum carlesii — There are lots of viburnum varieties – you can find ones that tolerate drought or extreme cold conditions.

Conclusion

Now you know the cold severity that viburnum can withstand (an incredible amount!) and how to ensure your plant survives winter.

I hope you found this article helpful. If so, please share it with someone who can use the information.

You can learn about the best soil type for viburnum here.

Viburnum has lots of different flower colors, depending on the variety – you can learn more here.

Remember that viburnum prefers full sun (6 or more hours per day) and needs at least partial sun (2 to 6 hours per day).

Got trouble with something eating your viburnums? It could be beetles, or something else … learn more here.

If you can’t find an area with at least partial sun, it is probably best to skip viburnum and find something more shade tolerant. (On that note, you can find 10 great flowering ground cover plants for shady areas in this article).

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