Beautiful small white and pink flowers can be seen on the lush branches of the winter viburnum plant (also called Bodnant viburnum and scented viburnum). The hardy ornamental shrub (Viburnum x Bodnantense) is well suited for planting flower beds, in corners and on garden edges. These plants look very splendid in spring and autumn. The fruits, which are black-red when ripening and have relatively small flowers, are very decorative. These plants make excellent pollinator, bird and bee attracting plants for your garden. While the tree can reach a height of 6 m or more, the medium-sized shrubs of the genus only reach a height of 2.5 m. Find out how you should care for your winter viburnum here!
Caring for frost-hardy winter snowballs – varieties and flowering times
In your garden center you will usually find the variety “Dawn”, which is a clone of the scented viburnum, more rarely “Charles Lamont”. The popular garden shrub's flowers appear in late winter and early spring, before the leaves appear. The Bodnant viburnum is a medium-sized, deciduous shrub with several sprawling trunks. The pink flowers are in clusters and the leaves are oval and toothed.
Planting Bodnant viburnum – location, soil and planting time
The first step in planting a scented viburnum is finding a planting spot. Find a location with well-drained soil that is full sun to slightly shaded. The shrub thrives on humus-rich and moist soils. Soils that are too acidic or alkaline are unfavorable for it. Clayey soils are also undesirable.
The ideal planting time is late spring or early summer. It's best to plant the plants all at once. Make sure that the roots are buried deep in the planting pit and are not exposed to direct sunlight. Before planting, you need to know the height of a fully developed plant for the variety you are growing. A general rule of thumb is often to multiply the height of the plant by two to estimate how much space you need to give it. For example, if the selected variety is to reach a height of 4 m when fully grown, the plants should be planted at a distance of 2 m. Make a pit 30 cm wide and 30 cm deep.
Caring for winter viburnum – pay attention to correct watering
Viburnum x bodnantense “Dawn” grows more vigorously in moist soil. Inadequate watering leads to abnormal flowering and reduces the ornamental value of the entire plant. The ability to control water is crucial to plant survival. To ensure that the soil is completely absorbent and firmly attached to the root system, the newly transplanted plants should be watered continuously for three to four weeks.
In extremely hot and dry conditions, 7 to 8 mm of water per week is sufficient. Just keep the soil moist daily. Too much soil moisture reduces air permeability, prevents root respiration,leads to rotten rootsand in extreme cases can even lead to the death of the plant.
Is it possible to grow winter viburnum in a container?
Yes. The scented viburnum grows into a medium to large sized shrub or tree, so you shoulda large flower potor choose a wooden barrel and leave room for growth. Every year after flowering, cut the plant back upside down to reduce its size and shape it into a spherical shape. Remove overhanging and diseased branches at any time.
Winter viburnum care tips – what temperature
A cool to cold temperature range is the best temperature range for the Bodnant viburnum. This plant has a hard time in hot, humid areas and often wilts or dies when exposed to these conditions for long periods of time. Although scented viburnum is a hardy plant, it is better to keep it in a cool to cold climate if possible. It can tolerate short-term heat or humidity.
The planned and sensible application of organic fertilizer can increase soil fertility while improving soil structure and organic matter content. A fertile soil promotes the overall growth of plants and fertilization is essential for growth. Apply a sufficient amount of base fertilizer before planting and fertilize every two weeks during the growing season. Fertilize when the sky is clear and the soil is dry. To ensure good growth, fertilization should be carried out during the dormant period or when the leaves begin to fall and before the ground freezes. Wait to fertilize until the tender cuttings begin to grow.
Cut Bodnant snowball
Light pruning to remove damaged or dead plant parts or dried branches is possible at any time of the year.
Pruning can be done in late winter or early spring to shape and accentuate the plant. If the branches become heavily intertwined as they grow, only a third of the branches should be removed. In other cases, you can start cutting back the bush immediately after flowering but before fruit sets. Avoid pruning during frost or extremely cold weather to avoid frost damage.
Caring for and propagating winter viburnum
It is not recommended to grow Viburnum x bodnantense “Dawn” from seeds. It can take 12 to 18 months. One of the best methods of propagating the plant is through cuttings. Make sure each soft cutting contains two nodes for both the belowground and aboveground components. Mix 2/3 of the excavated soil with 1/3 of thoroughly decomposed organic material. Fill the hole with the soft cuttings, press the soil lightly to keep the soil level at garden level, and water the cutting immediately.
Common Pests and Diseases
There are various pests and diseases to watch out for.Some typical pestsare:
- Aphids
- Red spider mites
- Thripse
Most of these pests feed on leaves and plant juices. They can be controlled with a strong spray or with a horticultural oil such as neem oil.
Common diseases:
- Powdery mildew
- Downy mildew
- Root rot
All of these diseases are fungal diseases that can be controlled with the right fungicides. But get advice from your garden center first!
