Viburnum x bodnantense pink dawn

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Pink Dawn Viburnum

Viburnum x bodnantense 'Dawn' is a moderate-growing broadleaf deciduous shrub with green foliage.

 In my own garden, I have actually never noticed the berries.  

This is a deciduous shrub, so it will be a beautiful blossom-filled twig hedge (flower clusters form on naked stems) in the late winter and early spring. Consider honoring the natural plant partners with other Asian garden-style plants.

These types of plants will serve the same purpose as an evergreen backdrop but will also provide a sea of green so that as the soft pink and white blooms fall, they can be equally appreciated after they have passed.  Perhaps you want to think about planting it in your landscape?   

In China, viburnum is traditionally associated with the Chinese New Years, symbolizing good luck and fortune.

4) Plant Viburnum in a cutting garden. 

If you are in warm winter areas (like England or down the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States) you will more likely be growing this shrub in its most ideal conditions.

Toothed, narrow-ovate leaves (2-4″ long) emerge in spring with bronze tints, but mature to deep green.  

Dawn viburnum easily caught my eye on a warm day in January. Bodnant viburnum’s winter blooms combined with the sweet fragrance of this shrub were the one-two punch that stopped me in my tracks and induced love at first sight (and sniff). 

Growing Viburnum x bodnantense Dawn

Viburnum x bodnantense is a hybrid viburnum – created from a cross between viburnum farreri and viburnum grandiflorum.

Does well in average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained soil.

Hellebores (Helleborus) – These early blooming perennials offer a lovely contrast to ‘Dawn’s’ pink blossoms and provide additional winter interest.

Winter-flowering Witch Hazel (Hamamelis) – Pairing ‘Dawn’ with the fragrant flowers of witch hazel creates a delightful winter display.

Planting spring bulbs like snowdrops (Galanthus) and crocuses (Crocus) nearby can enhance the garden’s early-season appeal.

Heathers (Calluna and Erica) – These low-growing evergreens provide year-round texture and color, making them a great choice for companion planting.

Spring-Blooming Shrubs –  Complement ‘Dawn’ with other spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia (Forsythia), which adds vibrant yellow blooms.

Fragrant Evergreens – Fragrant evergreen shrubs like Daphne and Sarcococca can provide year-round scent and visual appeal.

Heuchera (Coral Bells) – These perennial plants offer a diverse range of foliage colors that can contrast or complement ‘Dawn’s’ blooms.

Companion Viburnums –  Other Viburnum species, like Viburnum tinus or Viburnum carlesii, can create a harmonious grouping in the garden.

Ground Covers – Ground covers like Lamium, Vinca minor, or Epimedium x perralchicum can help fill in spaces and suppress weeds while offering attractive foliage.

Hostas – The heart-shaped foliage of hostas complements the shrub’s blooms and adds a layer of greenery.

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Viburnum bodnantense 'Pink Dawn'

Pink Dawn Viburnums produce clusters of small red buds that open to fragrant, bright pink flowers from mid-winter to early spring.
When the foliage first emerges in the Spring, the three to four inch leaves are a deep bronze color.
The deeply textured foliage.

 

‘Dawn’ has also earned the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit (AGM) for its garden-worthy qualities. 

A Perfect Winter Blooming Shrub

Pink dawn emerges in the dead of winter – precisely when I am craving the garden and flowers more than ever.

The scent is feminine and musky, with a hint of clove and the sweetness of clover and berries. wide
Viburnum bodnantense is hardy in USDA Planting Zones 6-9

Viburnum Growing Requirements

Viburnum 'Pink Dawn' plants should be grown in full sun but will appreciate a little afternoon shade in hotter climates.
They grow best when planted in rich, moist, well drained soil.

Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep, healthy root system. Feed your Pink Snowball bush yearly with an all purpose, balanced fertilizer before foliage growth begins in spring. Unfortuantely, a hard freeze can kill developing flower buds, depriving you of the current year's show of pink flowers.