Winter Fragrant Shrubs
I noticed the Viburnum tinus white buds are opening.
This classic shrub is the perfect back drop or even hedge for any garden. As the flowers are white in winter and early spring and the foliage is a study green and the leaves are not clumsy large waxy things like laurel it does not over dominate. It belongs almost everywhere and it is everywhere in my garden and I don’t mind! There are a few varieties ‘Eve Price’ and ‘Gwenllian’ both with AGM medals and now ‘Spirit’ which is a little more compact.
I came across Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ in flower, highly sought after for its glorious spring fragrance. This is a good evergreen shrub for shade and you will smell it before you see it.
Another scented delight is Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ (AGM) the woody leafless stems are clothed in sweet scented pretty pink flowers. Lonicera fragrantissima as the name suggests brings more fragrance to the winter garden. It is a simple green unassuming shrub in the honeysuckle family with sweet tubular bell shaped flowers. Last of the winter fragrant favourites is the Christmas box Sarcococca. The fragrance is fabulous. Again it has little white flowers with a strong scent which helps the bees locate the nectar rich flower. The dark green foliage is evergreen and the flowers are followed by dark glossy berries.
