Viburnum Bodnantense Dawn

Probably the shrub in Winter which is the most free-flowering, is Viburnum Bodnantense Dawn. White, pink-tinged fragrant flowers produced, in colder areas, January through till March.

In milder spots, this shrub can flower off and on from late Autumn right through till the end of winter. Having said this, here in Aberdeen I have already spotted several of these Viburnums in full bloom.

This earlier flowering may well be due to the exceptional summer and mild Autumn which we had, hopefully, a sign of things to come.

Bodnantense Dawn, a deciduous shrub will grow in any reasonable garden soil which is relatively free draining, full sun or partial shade. This shrub does have a tendency to look straggly after a few years.

When mature cut out some of the older stems, best done just after flowering. Grows to an eventual height of 10/12ft, however, you can keep it more compact as hard pruning back is tolerated. Some years you will find that it is smothered in flowers, whilst in others it can flower sparsely, perhaps depending on the summer and autumn conditions.