Viburnum x burkwoodii 'Anne Russell'

Common name: Burkwood Viburnum 'Anne Russell'

Description: Viburnum x burkwoodii 'Anne Russell' is a superb compact, semi-evergreen shrub that is rightly celebrated for producing one of the most intoxicatingly fragrant floral displays of the spring garden. From late winter into spring, the rounded clusters of small, tubular flowers open from deep pink-red buds to reveal blush-pink blooms that fade to white, releasing a rich, sweet, clove-like fragrance that carries impressively on the air and can perfume an entire garden on a mild day. 'Anne Russell' is a particularly desirable selection of the Burkwood Viburnum group, offering a more compact and neatly rounded habit than some of its relatives, making it well suited to smaller gardens, mixed borders, and planting near pathways, entrances, or seating areas where its exceptional scent can be appreciated at close quarters. The semi-evergreen, dark glossy green foliage provides a handsome backdrop through the growing season, and in some years the leaves take on attractive reddish-purple tints as temperatures drop in autumn, adding a further season of interest before the buds begin to form for the following spring.

Other benefits: outstanding fragrance; long flowering period from late winter into spring; compact and neatly rounded habit suitable for smaller gardens; semi-evergreen for year-round structure; attractive reddish autumn foliage tints

Wildlife attraction: bees, hoverflies, butterflies, early-season pollinators

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 1.5m x 1.5m

Position: full sun to partial shade; fragrance is most pronounced in a sheltered, sunny position

Soil pH: performs well in neutral to slightly alkaline soils; pH 6.0–7.5

Moisture: moderate watering required, particularly when establishing; prefers moisture-retentive but well-drained soil; tolerates clay soils provided drainage is reasonable

Winter hardiness: hardy to approximately -15°C; may lose some foliage in prolonged severe cold but will regenerate reliably in spring