Viburnum × bodnantense

Viburnum × bodnantense, the Bodnant viburnum, is a Group of hybrid flowering plant cultivars of garden origin. They originate in a cross between V. farreri and V. grandiflorum[1] made by Charles Puddle, head gardener to Lord Aberconway at Bodnant Garden, Wales around 1935.[2]

Viburnum × bodnantense
Cultivar ‘Dawn’ in flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Dipsacales
Family:	Adoxaceae
Genus:	Viburnum
Species:	V. × bodnantense
Binomial name
Viburnum × bodnantense Aberc. ex Stearn

The most famous selection, ‘Dawn’,[3] is a substantial deciduous shrub growing to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) tall by 1.5 m (4.9 ft) broad. In winter and early spring the bare branches are clothed with fragrant pink blooms, and later by narrow, heavily-veined oval leaves. These turn bright red in autumn, and are often accompanied by small globose red fruits. Though hardy down to −20 °C (−4 °F), like all early-flowering shrubs the flowers can be affected by late frost – which in turn affects the production of fruit. This shrub requires a sheltered position in full sun or partial shade, in soil that stays moist.

The cultivars ‘Dawn’,[3] ‘Deben’[4] and ‘Charles Lamont’[5] are recipients of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[6]

According to the Plant List, Viburnum × bodnantense is an unresolved name, meaning that it has not yet been accredited as a valid botanical name or synonym.[7]