What is that smell? Walk around Seattle on a grey winter day and you might find yourself chasing after that scent of spring somewhere in your neighbor’s garden. It might still be cold and wet, but some plants like to bloom during winter and send out some perfume to attract pollinators.
Sarcococca (Sweet Box) – (above photo) You may barely notice this evergreen plant’s demure white blooms in winter, but you will definitely smell them, and you will definitely want to lean in closer and smell them again.
Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Pink Dawn’ (Dawn Viburnum) – Most Viburnums like to flower in spring and summer, but not this one. Instead, you’ll notice it in winter when is covered in profuse and cheerful pink puffballs that smell heavenly.
Viburnum x Bodnatense aka Dawn Viburnum, adds early winter fragrance with light pink flowers.
Camellia sasanqua ‘Setsugekka’ (Sesugekka Camellia) – is a stunning plant in winter with a loose branch structure, shiny evergreen leaves and white flowers with sunny yellow stamens. To top it off, the flowers have a sweet scent that will make you smile on a grey wet day.
Camellia sasanqua, a subtle & sweet aroma.
Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) – unusual strappy winter flowers in yellows, oranges and reds adorn elegant branches. They provide great visual interest, but also perfume your garden.
Hamamelis ‘Arnold’s Promise’ aka Witch Hazel, gives off a beguiling and semi spicy scent.
In the summer, all of these plants make great structural background plants behind your perennials, but don’t hide them way in the back of your garden. Plant them by a walkway, stairwell or entrance where you will catch a whiff of their blooms as you walk by and where you can stop, lean in and enjoy the scent.
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