Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Deben’

Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Deben’ flower (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full Sun, will tolerate partial shade

Flowering period: Winter to early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 3m

Eventual Spread: 2m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Adoxaceae

Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Deben’ is a fast growing, deciduous, upright, bushy shrub . Its dark green leaves are oval in shape with simple to palmate lobes. It has upright branches. The flowers of the plant are produced in small clusters, initially pink buds, opening to fragrant white flowers. The flowers are virtually sterile producing only a few small black or purple fruit. 

Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Deben’, commonly known as Bodnant Viburnum, Winter Flowering Viburnum or Arrowwood Deben. Viburnum x bodnantense was produced in 1934 by crossing Viburnum grandiflorum with the fragrant species Viburnum farreri in Bodnant Gardens

The etymological root of the binomial name Viburnum is from the Latin name for Viburnum Lantana, or the Wayfaring Tree. Bodnantense is named after Bodnant Gardens, where this plant was created.

Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Deben’ (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

The landscape architect may find Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Deben’ useful as a fragrant winter flowering shrub.

Ecologically, the leaves of Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Deben’ are sometimes eaten by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species. Its flowers are a valuable source of nectar for insects during the winter months.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Deben’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Deben’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Deben’ requires little maintenance. To encourage healthy growth, older shoots can be removed to ground level after flowering to give space to the younger more vigorous shoots.

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist soil

Eventual Height: 3m (1m when stooled)

Eventual Spread: 3m (0.8m when stooled)

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Cornaceae

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ is a robust, deciduous shrub. The leaves of the plant are opposite, up to 8cm long and 4cm broad, with an ovate to oblong shape and an entire margin. They are green above and slightly paler below and turn orange/ yellow in autumn. The branches are upright. The juvenile branches of this plant are orange becoming red towards the tips. The flowers of the plant are borne in dense flat cymes, they are small, up to 1cm in diameter, with creamy white petals. The fruit of the plant is a black globose berry, up to 8mm in diameter containing a single seed. This plant may spread by stolons.

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’, commonly known as Common Dogwood Midwinter Fire. The species, Cornus sanguinea, is native to most of Europe and western Asia, including some parts of the UK. C. sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ was discovered in a German garden by H. Venhorst in about 1980, it was named ‘Midwinter Fire’ in 1990.

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ stem (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

The etymological root of the binomial Cornus is from the Latin  cornum meaning ‘horn’ due to its dense properties. Sanguinea is from the Latin meaning ‘blood red’, referring to the colour of the plant.

The landscape architect may find Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ useful when planting en mass, providing autumn leaf colour and a fantastic display of stem colour during the winter months.

Ecologically, Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ berries are eaten by some mammals and many birds. The leaves provide food for some moths and caterpillars.

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ Leaf (15/08/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’, if planted for its winter stem colour, will need to be stooled in early spring, before the spring growth starts.

Landscape Architecture

Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor

Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor flower (21/01/2012, Kew London)

Position: Full sun to dappled shade

Flowering period: Winter

Soil: Well Drained

Eventual Height: 4m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Calycanthaceae

Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor is a medium sized, bushy, deciduous shrub. Its leaves are opposite and entire, up to 20cm long and 7cm broad, with a glossy texture. The yellow flowers are waxy, cup shaped, up to 3cm across, with spirally arranged tepals and are strongly scented. The branches are upward arching in form. The fruit of the plant is an elliptic dry capsule which is up to 4cm long. 

Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor, commonly known as Wintersweet or Japanese Allspice, is native to China. It was introduced into European gardens from Japan and was noted in England 1766 when it was grown under glass for the Sixth Earl of Coventry in the conservatory at Croome Court, Worcestershire.

The etymological root of the binomial name Chimonanthus is derived from the Greek xeimwn ‘winter’ and anqos ‘flower’. Praecox is derived from the Latin prae before and coxi ‘ripening’, i.e. early ripening.

Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor (21/01/2012, Kew London)

The landscape architect may find Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor useful as a low maintenance, winter flowering, scented shrub.

Ecologically Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor is pollinated by insects

Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate alkali soils. It will not tolerate winter water logging.

Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor requires little maintenance.