Winter shrub/bush/tree for front garden.

I love picking things like that. For me its a process of elimination. I would want something at least 3 season, something that the birds can eat of of, something unusual, even the bark to be unusual. something with a fragrance.

 

Vicky....nice leaves...it could be the one!

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Whats you suggestion, star?

 

I'd go for the Viburnum Bodnantense 'Dawn'..wonderful scent .

 

Very pretty tiny flower although the branches are straight and uninteresting..

 

Yes, kind of rubbery. It looks all spiky, but it actually feels like those rubber centipede kiddy toys. The final height is reasonably large, but it's very slow growing so pruning is practical.

I've got plans myself for a raised pond with one of them each side to shade it. Should look pretty, and with the cryptomeria there's no leaf loss to mess up the pond. That project is a year or two away though - I've got at least two other projects to do first!

 

issue is, your size of your front garden. I have 3 acres to work with . different thought process.

 

@miraflores Winter box pictures
Sarcococca hookeriana
Grown from seed, planted out a couple of years back.
Sarcococca confusa


Sarcococca confusa close up


This was planted a dozen years ago and until last spring was growing with a Daphne odora, the daphne decided to die off last spring after flowering.

 

Your confusa is looking really good, Nigel! Mine went yellow in a really sunny spot, but isn't getting any taller now it's in complete shade for most of the year. Perhaps mine needs moving to an area where it gets a little more sun.

Nick

 

Have just got one from Parkers. S. confusa.

 

Nigel, I have tried many times with Daphne's and sadly failed.

It really bugs me at times when friends and associates almost scream out. But you are a pro, your'e a scientist, you should know it all. Nigel I know you are in a different scientific area, but do you sometimes get this?

 

@Nikolaos Mine only gets sun in the early morning and is shaded for most of the day. This is why it grows in a rather lopsided manner.

 

@Mike Allen Daphne can be temperamental and short lived. They can be quite difficult to propagate as well, apparently the seed germinates best if sown before it is full ripe.
As for

yes I do get this quite often.

 

@ARMANDII There's something lovely about having a shrub which provides colour and scent at this time of the year when we have such short, dreary days isn't there? My Lonicera fragrantissima is just coming into flower and the fragrance is gorgeous, a sweet, lemony smell. I might even try growing a daphne again, but I've tried three different types and none have lasted over a year! I'm really tempted to get 2 of these, probably the most compatible with my heavy clay soil...

Daphne odora 'Rebecca' plants | Thompson & Morgan

Nick