As a special treat, there is the added bonus of their sweet perfume wafting through the air.
• Pick of the bunch
Daphne bholua is a small narrow shrub with an open habit. Covered in a mass of white-tinged pink flowers, they open from deep pink buds.
Hamamelis species and cultivars are known as the witch hazels. With their unusual spider-like flowers that generally appear on leafless stems, witch hazels are also invaluable for winter flowering and scent.
Hamamelis mollis is an upright open deciduous shrub covered in clusters of golden yellow flowers.
Hamamellis mollis 'Pallida' has large sulphur-yellow flowers in clusters along the stems.
Hamamelis x intermedia 'Carmine Red' has a spreading habit with large flowers in a bronze/red toning
Wintersweet Chimonanthus praecox is another essential. For winter, these deciduous bushy shrubs have translucent, cup-shaped yellowish flowers with a maroon blotch at the base.
Chimonanthus praecox 'Luteus' has clear waxy yellow flowers.
• Planting location
All are easily grown shrubs that prefer sun or a semi-shaded location in well-drained soil. Generally, no pruning is required and they are ideal for the smaller garden.
• Where to find
All these plants can be found in various locations throughout the lower botanic garden; let your nose guide you.
- Linda Hellyer is curator of the rose garden at Dunedin Botanic Garden.
