Plant of the Month
Vibernum x Bodnantense
'Dawn'
Viburnums are easy to grow, and deliver on not just colour but also bring a heavenly fragrance to a garden when our spring and summer favourites have faded away. Most varieties produce red, blue or white berries in autumn, great for birds and wildlife (those berries are often poisonous to humans).
There are a dizzying array of viburnum varieties, with huge variations in leaf shape and forms of flower heads, some are evergreen and some deciduous, some flower in winter – others late in spring! The variety and versatility make them invaluable for gardeners seeking all year round interest.
Hardiness:
H7 Hardy.
Soil:
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Well cultivated, humus rich soil.
Size: depends on variety but typically
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Ultimate height 2 metres
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Ultimate spread 1.5 metres
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Time to ultimate height 2-5 years
Positioning:
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Sun or Part Shade
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Aspect West-facing or South-facing or East-facing
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Exposure Exposed or Sheltered
Watering:
Will do well on their own except for times of drought when you will need to water them.
Flowers:
Dense clusters of richly perfumed, deep rose pink flowers which eventually fade to candyfloss pink, and eventually white by late spring.
Planting:
Keep the ground where the plants have been planted moist, and water young plants frequently for the first half of the summer as they are growing, though ensure good drainage and never allow the ground to get water-logged.
Pruning:
Can be pruned hard annually, after flowering
Pests:
Look out for Viburnum Beetle which can strip a plant bare.
Diseases:
Leaf spot; root rot;