Viburnum bodnantense Charles Lamont

Viburnum x bodnantense 'Charles Lamont' is a bush that is wildly romantic and chooses the shortest days of winter to offer the gardener its flowering of bright pink with the scent of heliotrope. During mild periods, the naked branches of this Bodnant viburnum bear clusters of large flowers in a vibrant pink colour, opening to a pale pink, all these shades creating a delicate pink gradation. The other asset of this large bush is its beautiful bronze foliage in spring, turning green and more discreet in summer before displaying magnificent autumn colours. Magnificent and with no specific requirements, this plant is easy to grow in most of our regions as long as the planting is well cared for.

Derived from the cross-breeding of Viburnum plicatum 'Grandiflorum' and Viburnum farreri (fragrans), the Bodnant viburnum is a deciduous bush characterized by a brilliant and remarkably scented winter flowering. Its first parent, a Chinese plant with white spring flowering, has passed on to it large inflorescences, while the second, to which it bears a strong resemblance, is responsible for its wonderfully scented winter flowering and its good tolerance to limestone.

The 'Charles Lamont' cultivar distinguishes itself with larger flowers and a more pronounced pink colour. It has an upright, open habit, sometimes considered a bit stiff, and its growth is moderately fast. At maturity, the bush will reach a height of about 3m (9 in 10ft) with a spread of 2m. As with the original hybrid, the flowering occurs from November to March, outside periods of heavy frost, both at the terminal and axil buds, on the dark red-brown bare wood. The inflorescences, measuring 7 to 10cm (2.8 - 3.9in), are composed of extremely scented tubular flowers, whose pink colour will be even brighter in March. The foliage of the Bodnant viburnum has the particularity of being copper-bronze when unfolding, gradually turning dark green with well-marked veins, and then red-purple in autumn. It is a deciduous foliage, composed of entire leaves, 10cm (3.9in) long.

Easy to grow like all viburnums, this 'Charles Lamont' variety can be planted in borders, informal or flowering hedges, or as a standalone, preferably not far from the house or a pathway to fully enjoy the fragrance and beauty of the flowers in the middle of winter. To accompany it, plant some Oriental hyacinth or winter aconite bulbs at its base, and next to it a Sarcococca, a Garrya elliptica, or even a witch hazel (in slightly acidic soil). Contrary to popular belief, the Viburnum bodnantense adapts to many climates, as long as it has sufficiently deep soil to draw some freshness from in case of dry summer. Cut the flowers to make beautiful bouquets. Viburnums are easy-to-grow bushes that integrate well in informal hedges; by mixing different species or combining them with other flowering shrubs, you will create a captivating, ever-evolving garden throughout the year.