Bodnant viburnum 'Dawn' (Viburnum bodnantense 'Dawn')

Synonyms: Arrowwood Dawn, Viburnum bodnantens Dawn.

Bodnant viburnum Dawn (Viburnum bodnantense 'Dawn') – a cultivar of Viburnum bodnantense. It was obtained at the Bodnant Garden (United Kingdom) in 1934-1935. The cultivar received the Garden Merit (AGM) award from the Royal Horticultural Society.

It is a deciduous, slow-growing, multi-stemmed shrub with a spreading crown. It reaches 3-5 m in height and 2-3 m in width. Branches grow upright when young, later arching downwards.

Leaves narrowly ovate, toothed, 5-10 cm long. They emerge bronze in spring, later becoming dark green. In autumn they change to burgundy-red.

Flowers small, pink with purplish-pink stamens, collected in corymb-like inflorescences up to 8 cm in diameter, very fragrant (scent of sweet vanilla with lilac). Blooms abundantly in April-May.

Fruits – small drupes up to 1 cm in diameter, red, turning black at maturity. They persist on the plant throughout the winter.

Hardiness zone: 6b

Position: prefers sunny sites but can grow in partial shade. Moderately drought-tolerant. Tolerates any well-drained soils. Resistant to urban conditions.

Pruning: tolerates pruning well.

Propagation: propagated by seeds or cuttings taken in autumn and treated with rooting hormone.

Pests: aphids, viburnum leaf eater (bark beetle).

Diseases: powdery mildew

Uses: used in fragrant gardens, for flower beds, borders, as a specimen, in groups, in informal hedges. Can be used as a background plant.