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Viburnum bodnantense 'Dawn'
Dawn viburnum
Garden hybrid — raised at Bodnant Garden in Wales, UK, in 1935; a cross between {V. farreri} (northern China) and {V. grandiflorum} (Himalayas)Learn more
Overview
Viburnum × bodnantense 'Dawn' is Dawn viburnum (Bodnant viburnum), an upright deciduous shrub growing 8-10 feet (2.4-3 m) tall and 5-7 feet (1.5-2.1 m) wide. Deep rose-pink buds opening pale pink to near-white tubular flowers 0.3 inch (8 mm) in dense rounded clusters 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) on bare stems from November through March. Strongly fragrant. Flowers open in intermittent flushes during warm spells throughout winter (16 weeks total). Dark green strongly veined ovate to elliptic opposite leaves 2-4 inches (5-10 cm). Turns purple in fall. In Adoxaceae. A hybrid between V. farreri (northern China) and V. grandiflorum (Himalayas), raised at Bodnant Garden in Wales in 1935. A hard freeze below 15°F (-9°C) browns any open flowers — new buds continue to open during subsequent warm spells. This freeze damage to open flowers is the primary limitation in cold climates (zones 4-5). In milder climates (zones 7-8), the winter bloom is more continuous. The upright vase-shaped habit becomes leggy and bare at the base with age. Deer-resistant. Drought-tolerant once established. Non-toxic. Zones 4-8. Full sun to partial shade. Growth rate is moderate.
Native Range
Garden hybrid — raised at Bodnant Garden in Wales, UK, in 1935. A cross between V. farreri (northern China) and V. grandiflorum (Himalayas).Suggested Uses
Grown as a specimen shrub near entries, walkways, and windows where the winter fragrance can be encountered, spaced 5-7 feet (1.5-2.1 m). Shelter from cold winds in zones 4-5. Winter fragrant bloom. Non-toxic. Zones 4-8.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8' - 10'
Width/Spread5' - 7'
Reaches mature size in approximately 6 years
Bloom Information
Late fall through early spring (November-March). Deep rose-pink buds opening pale pink tubular flowers in dense rounded clusters 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) on bare stems. Strongly fragrant. 16 weeks of intermittent bloom. Open flowers browned by hard freezes below 15°F (-9°C). Bee-visited on warm winter days.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Deep rose-pink buds opening pale pink to near-white, tubular, 0.3 inch (8 mm), in dense rounded clusters 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) on bare stems in winter; strongly fragrantFoliage Description
Dark green, simple, ovate to elliptic, opposite, strongly veined, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm), coarsely serrated; turns purple in fallGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun to partial shade (4-12 hours). Well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.5. Drought-tolerant once established. Open flowers damaged by hard freezes below 15°F (-9°C) — site in a sheltered location in zones 4-5. Becomes leggy at the base with age — renewal prune. Prune after flowering ends (March-April). Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 4-8.Pruning
Prune after flowering ends (March-April) — blooms on old wood formed the previous season. Remove 1/3 of the oldest stems at the base annually for renewal to prevent the leggy bare-stemmed base. Do not prune in fall or early winter (removes flower buds).Pruning Schedule
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early spring