Identifying Fragrant Viburnums: Carlesii, Burkwoodii, and Mohawk for a Scented Garden

Your Plant’s Profile

Small star-like white flowers with pink tinge, strong evening fragrance = likely Viburnum × burkwoodii ‘Mohawk’ or V. carlesii (Koreanspice).

Top Fragrant Viburnums

• V. carlesii — spicy-sweet, early spring, 4–6 ft.
• V. × burkwoodii — similar, semi-evergreen, 6–8 ft.
• V. × burkwoodii ‘Mohawk’ — compact, red buds open pink-white, very fragrant.
• V. ‘Aurora’ — Bluestone lists as fragrant; less common.

Companion Planting

Pair with Daphne odora ‘Carol Mackie’ (variegated, fragrant) and Hyacinths for a spring scent symphony.

Warning

Many viburnums (e.g., V. dentatum, V. plicatum) have no fragrance. Buy by cultivar name, not genus.