Although perhaps not the most beautiful plant in summer, at this time of year deciduous winter flowering Viburnums really earn their place in the garden.
One of the most popular is Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’. This medium to large shrub is a hybrid of V.farreri x V.grandiflorum selected by the head gardener at Bodnant Gardens in Wales in the 1930s. In spring its young foliage is a bronzy-green, turning a darker green as it matures. During late autumn and winter its bare branches are adorned with pinky-red buds which open over several months into pinky-white highly fragrant flowers which, on a sunny day, fill the surrounding area with fragrance.
A sister seedling V.b.’Charles Lamont’ has a similar height and spread (4mx2m) but has brighter pink flowers which are profuse and appear at a young age. Viburnum farreri is another winter flowering species discovered in China; named after plant collector Reginald Farrer it makes a more rounded shrub than V. x bodnantense, growing to around 3x3m when fully mature.
Its highly fragrant, pinkish white flowers are produced throughout the winter on bare branches. There is also a pure white form V.f. ‘Candidissimum’ which has the same fragrance and habit as the species. If space is limited a more compact form is V.f.’Nanum’ which again has the same flowers as the species but with a height and spread of around only 1m.
These Viburnums are relatively unfussy plants growing well in sun or part shade in most good garden soil, but if your soil is sandy add plenty of organic matter when planting. Any pruning should be done as soon as flowering finishes.
Plant of the month
Acer palmatum ‘Sango-Kaku’
This hardy deciduous Japanese maple is one of the most valuable for winter interest with its attractive coral-red twigs and branches which put on a stunning winter display, almost glowing on a sunny day. In spring its palmate leaves are a pinkish-yellow as they open, maturing to a light green in summer. In autumn they turn a soft yellow before falling to reveal their dramatic stems throughout the winter. A.p. Sango-kaku makes a large shrub or small tree; it’s tolerant of less than perfect conditions but prefers neutral to acid organic rich soil in a part shaded, sheltered position.
Question time
I have a black sooty mould growing on my bamboo; what is causing the problem and how can l treat it?
Sooty mould is a common problem which affects a range of evergreen shrubs and climbers including Camellia, Trachelospermum, Bay and Citrus, the mould is growing on leftover sticky deposits left by insects, usually scale but sometimes aphids or in summer whitefly. Check under the leaves and treat the pest accordingly with an insecticide if necessary, this won’t clear the sooty mould but once the pest is eradicated the mould will gradually fall away or if unsightly can be washed off.
Catch up with Keith
Remove any spent flowers and damaged or diseased leaves from greenhouse plants to prevent any fungal diseases spreading.
The best range of seed potatoes is available now; early ones can be chitted by placing them in a tray or egg boxes in a bright cool frost-free position.
It’s a good time of year for path maintenance. Remove weeds, top up gravel and refresh or renew bark ready for the new season.
Regularly check any stored fruit and vegetables and remove any damaged or decaying produce ensure the remainder is kept in good condition.
January is a good time to get the lawn mower serviced before the spring rush. It is also a good time to do any tool maintenance and have that shed tidy which there’s never enough time for in spring!
