| In nature, the role of scent is very simple, to attract | | | | incredible and pervasive strong sweet fragrance. |
| pollinating insects to plants. During winter when the | | | | # 2 Hamamelis x intermedia 'Pallida' - the Chinese |
| garden tends to be quiet, the air is humid and few | | | | witch hazel, with sharp scents and distinctive spidery |
| leaves on the trees, and even fewer insects around | | | | flowers in a range of colours including yellow, orange |
| at this time of year. Despite winter flowers appearing | | | | and red on bare stems. |
| to be smaller and colours more subtle, the strength | | | | # 3 Lonicera x purpusii - a rather plain looking shrub |
| of the fragrance can be colossal. Apparently nature | | | | with creamy white flowers which last from |
| has determined, that scent not colour is more | | | | November to March, but with a delicious scent that |
| important to the few circulating pollinating insects. | | | | make it worthy of a place in any garden. |
| Though most of the garden planning is focussed | | | | # 4 Mahonia x media 'Charity' - a beautiful evergreen |
| around the summer months, it is important to include | | | | architectural shrub, with prickly leaves and layered |
| some winter scented plants in the planting scheme. | | | | structure. A very popular shrub with garden |
| Position is important, so try to position plants near | | | | designers. During winter, the plant produces |
| pathway or steps where the fragrance will be | | | | impressive and heavenly scented yellow flowers, |
| enjoyed each time you pass by. | | | | followed by clusters of dark blue grape sized berries. |
| Worth remembering that fragrance can be found not | | | | # 5 Sarcococca confusa - commonly known as |
| only in flowers but also in plants with aromatic foliage, | | | | Christmas Box, a compact and easy to grow plant is |
| for example lavender, rosemary, santolina which all | | | | ideally planted near a pathway from which the |
| retain their scent throughout the winter months. But | | | | honeyed scent of the insignificant white flowers can |
| the real star performers are of course the winter | | | | be best enjoyed. |
| flowering scented shrubs and here are seven of the | | | | # 6 Viburnum x bodnatense 'Dawn' - a glorious and |
| best: | | | | inspiring shrub when in full flower featuring tightly |
| # 1 Daphne odora 'Aureomarginata - rosy pink and | | | | packed pink blooms on bare stems simply |
| white flowers of this evergreen shrub produce an | | | | overflowing with a heavenly fragrance. |