Viburnum x bodnantense 'CHARLES LAMONT'

Bodnant viburnum is one of the few winter flowering plants. Its flowers may appear as early as in December (in mild winters). It is a garden hybrid between v.farreri and v.grandiflorum made by Charles Lamont from Edinburgh Botanic Gardens. For some reason he did not wait until the plants showed their assets and chucked them. An unknown grower from Bodnant Gardens in Wales took them over and observed their growth. Four named varieties rose from this crossing (Aberconway, Charles Lamont, Dawn, and Deben), out of which Dawn was possibly the most successful commercially, and one was named in honour of the breeder.

Charles Lamont is a Bodnant viburnum producing numerous sweetly scented flowers in warm periods of winter, and most profusely from March till April. The flowers are narrowly tubular, pink flushed to almost white, opening from pink buds, borne in terminal and axillary clusters on bare wood. Their intoxicating fragrance is the key feature why this shrub is sought after.

Charles Lamont viburnum is a deciduous, fast growing shrub with dense, upright habit. The leaves are slightly furrowed and have serrated margins. They emerge bronze-coloured, maturing to deep green, and turning burgundy red in autumn.

Deciduous viburnums like sunny or partially shaded location, medium fertile, moist but well-drained soil, no special pH required. Pruning is not necessary. If for any reason you want to prune it, do so in late spring after flowering. Fully hardy to min. -27°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 25-03-2019