Most winter flowering shrubs are divinely scented, discover their scents.
Scented shrubs for the balcony
Sarcococca humilis: this small evergreen shrub grows very well in a pot. It forms in a few seasons a nice compact clump with dark green and glossy foliage. Small discreet cream flowers are present all winter long in the armpit of the leaves. They emit a very powerful vanilla scent. They are followed by navy blue berries. H and E: 0,5 to 1 m.
Its needs: half-shade, shade. Fresh and humusy substratum. Slight pruning after flowering.
Daphne odora: it is the most perfumed of all the daphnes. Its light green evergreen foliage edged with cream is covered all winter with a generous bright pink bloom with flowery and spicy notes evoking jasmine, carnation and clove. H : 1,5 m. E: 1 m.
Its needs: half-shade, sheltered from draughts. Very well drained soil, cool in summer, rich in humus. No pruning required.
Scented shrubs for the terrace
Mimosa : belonging to the genus Acacia, this small tree prefers mild climates. Its clusters of small golden yellow pompons illuminate the winter decor. The scent is reminiscent of sugar and honey. H and W: 2 to 4 m. Its needs: full sun, well drained soil, not calcareous (the species retinoides, the "mimosa of the four seasons" tolerates a little calcareous). When the cold is intense, protect the mimosa with a forcing veil or put the pot in a clear, unheated room.
Skimmia japonica : this shrub with a compact and rounded habit offers a dark green, shiny and leathery evergreen foliage. The plant is dioecious. The flowering of the male subjects is more beautiful than that of the females. From February, small bunches of creamy star-shaped flowers with purple stamens emit a scent reminiscent of vanilla, lily of the valley and orange tree. It is the female plants which offer a splendid brilliant red fructification. H and W: 1 to 1,5 m.
Its needs: light sun, half-shade, fresh soil. Pruning unnecessary (slow growth).
Viburnum farreri : formerly named V.fragrans, this beautiful deciduous shrub is a real winter incense with notes of vanilla, honey and almond. The small clusters of pale pink flowers can be seen from autumn, accompanying us until early spring. They are followed by red fruits. H: 2 to 3 m and W: 2 m. Choose the cultivar 'Nanum' which reaches 1 m and is decorative all year round.
Its needs: sun (shelter from the morning sun, avoid eastern exposures), cool soil. Prune after flowering if necessary. You can also fall for the Camellia sasanqua (blooms from autumn to the middle of winter). Our favorites for the small garden
Daphne mezereum: this deciduous shrub with soft green foliage justifies its name of 'pretty wood' with its generous pink or purple bloom, which lasts several weeks from February to April. Its flowers scent jasmine but also hyacinth, carnation and clove. They are followed by small red drupes scarlet very toxic but appreciated by the birds. H and E: 50 cm to 2 m. Slow growth.
Its needs: light sun, half-shade. Well-drained soil but cool in summer. Does not like to be moved.
Witch hazel: the "witches' hazel" is a deciduous shrub with an upright or spreading habit that blooms in late winter. Its flowers in light sulphur yellow, copper or brick red pompons are scattered along the branches. Their scent is reminiscent of honey. For its more intense perfume, prefer the species H.mollis to the hybrids Hamamelis x intermedia. H and E : 1 to 2 m. Magnificent autumn coloring of the foliage.
Its needs: sun, half-shade, shelter from drafts, cool and acid soil. No pruning (slow growth).
Mahonia x media 'Charity' : this large erect shrub becomes rounder with time. It offers a very decorative evergreen foliage. The large, leathery, dark green leaves have very prickly edges. The very long flowering period begins in the heart of autumn and lasts until March. The large clusters of golden yellow spikes perfume the air, evoking the scent of lily of the valley. The flowers are followed by navy blue plum berries, very appreciated by birds. H and W: 2 to 3 m.
Its needs: light sun, half-shade. Fertile, fresh and humus soil. No pruning (slow growth).
You can also fall for the Viburnum carlesii (flowering at the end of winter).
Scented shrubs for the country hedge
Abeliophyllum distichum : often called white forsythia, this little-known deciduous shrub has an upright and flared bushy habit. It blooms very generously from February (or March depending on the climate). The clusters of white to pinkish white tubular flowers smell like almonds! They are followed by heart-shaped and winged seeds. H and W: 1,5 to 2 m.
Its needs: sun, half-shade, shelter of the cold draughts. Fertile and fresh soil. Pruning unnecessary (slow growth).
Chimonanthus praecox : this large deciduous and erect shrub deserves the name of "winter sweetness" that the English give it. From the end of autumn until March, it is covered with a multitude of small discreet bells, waxy yellow speckled with purple, which scent the air for meters around. Their perfume evokes honey and exotic fruits (mango, passion fruit, pineapple). H : 2 to 3 m. E: 2 m.
Its needs: sun, ordinary soil. Useless pruning (slow growth).
Corylopsis pauciflora : cousin of the witch hazel, this deciduous shrub with a flared habit blooms massively from the end of February. The small, drooping clusters of primrose yellow flowers have a flowery scent with fruity accents of sweet orange. Beautiful autumn foliage. H and W: 1.5 to 2 m.
Its needs: sun, half-shade, shelter from draughts, fertile, light, rather acidic and cool soil in summer. Pruning unnecessary (slow growth).
Lonicera fragrantissima : this shrubby honeysuckle quickly forms a large bush with a spreading or even drooping habit. The deciduous to semi-evergreen foliage is compensated by the long winter blooming whose sweet perfume evokes honeysuckle, jasmine and orange blossom. The small cream flowers are renewed from December to March. They are followed by translucent coral-red berries that are toxic for humans but appreciated by birds. H: 2 to 3 m. E: 2,5 to 3,5 m.
Its needs: sun, half-shade, well-drained soil. Pruning unnecessary except to limit development.
Viburnum x bodnantense: this winter viburnum forms a large deciduous shrub with a rather stiff upright habit. It can bloom from November to March even if it is very cold! Its small round bunches of soft pink flowers in bud and white when blooming are reminiscent of jasmine. H : 3 m. E: 2 m.
Its needs: sun, half-shade, humus soil, fresh in summer. Pruning unnecessary.
Viburnum x burkwoodii : this hybrid quickly forms a large rounded bush with shiny dark green semi-evergreen foliage. At the end of the winter, bouquets of pink and then waxy white flowers adorn the plant, diffusing orange blossom scents all around. They are followed by red fruits becoming black in autumn. H and E: 1,5 to 2 m.
Its needs: sun, half-shade, humus soil, fertile and fresh in summer. Pruning unnecessary.
But also: Mahonia aquifolium (flowering in March-April).
