The Viburnum National Collection at RHS Hyde Hall was formed in September 1982.

The National Collection currently contains a wide representation from the genus and is distributed throughout the garden in mixed planting schemes.  Viburnum offer all year round interest, with flowers and scent from winter through to spring and early summer followed by bright berries from late summer through to winter as well as colourful leaves in autumn.  Therefore, when visiting RHS Hyde Hall during any season, there will usually be a Viburnum of interest to see in the garden.  Other characteristics include variety of sizes to suit any situation in the garden from front of border to large specimen shrub, beauty and size of flowers, and many different leaf textures.

                              Plants of interest to visitors of the collection
In the depths of winter V. x bodnantense provide rich rose-red to white pink scented flowers on bare wood from late autumn to spring, followed by blue-black or purple fruit.  V. x burkwoodii ‘Park Farm Hybrid’ produces dark pink flowers, fading to white in spring, the leaves turning orange to red in autumn.  V. carlesii  produces deep pink buds opening to white or pink, highly fragrant tubular flowers in late spring, by autumn the long red berries have ripened to black.  Another species of particular interest in spring is V. plicatum f. tomentosum ‘Shasta’.  This shrub has a horizontal habit giving a stunning display of pure white blossom., the heart-shaped deeply veined dark green leaves turn red-purple in autumn.  V. opulus ‘Notcutt’s Variety’ provides a wonderful display of bright red berries in late summer followed by the deeply lobed leaves turning red in autumn. 

       National collection of Viburnum

                                                     Contact details
Holder: RHS Garden - Hyde Hall
Address: Jeanette Jones, RHS Garden, Hyde Hall, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 8ET,
Telephone: 01245 402104
E-mail: jeanettejones@rhs.org.uk
Description: 28 acre plantsman's garden with NC distributed throughout. Ongoing new garden creation.
No of plant types  : 127
Opening Times: Open all year (excluding Christmas Day). 10am-dusk or 6pm (last admissions 5pm)
Entry: Adult £5.00; Child 6-16yrs £1.50; Child under 6 free; Special rates for pre-booked groups 10+.
Directions: M25 J28 (A12), J29 (A127) or J30 (A13); Signposted from A130; take exit for Rettendon Turnpike, N through the village; follow brown tourist signs.
Facilities: Parking available. Toilets available. Plants for sale. Disabled access.
Status: Full

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