Great Plant Pick: Pink dawn viburnum

Published 1:30 am Saturday, February 8, 2020

What: Viburnum x bodnantense “Dawn,” commonly known as pink dawn viburnum, is most noted for its floral displays during winter and early spring. Pink buds open to pale pink, highly fragrant flowers as early as December and often well into February. Cut branches in winter will force easily and it is lovely in winter bouquets. Cinnamon colored bark and yellow fall color add to the shrub’s interest.

Where: Plant it in mixed borders or informal screen plantings, as it does grow fairly large. It needs full sun.

Size: Pink dawn viburnum grows to 8 feet tall by 10 feet wide.

Care: It’s drought tolerant once established, but will flower better with occasional watering during very long dry spells.

— Richie Steffen