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Fragrant Evergreen Shrub Ideas
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Posted by
bermudasarah 8 (
My Page) on
Sun, Apr 11, 10 at 20:31
Good Day,
I am hoping to find an evergreen shrub with fragrant flowers to plant under my kitchen window. As the windows are large and low to the ground, It would have to be smaller than 3 feet, or alternatively take well to pruning.
In the summer, the area receives full sun in the morning and dappled light for the rest of the day. In the winter this is a full sun location.
Thank you for your help!
Sarah |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Fragrant Evergreen Shrub Ideas
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- Posted by bboy USDA 8 Sunset 5 WA (My Page) on
Mon, Apr 12, 10 at 1:01
| Maybe gardenias. Soil and climate there? |
RE: Fragrant Evergreen Shrub Ideas
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| Hmm, maybe Pittosporum tobira 'Wheeler's Dwarf'. I also like the gardenia idea (I have a variety called 'Frostproof' which has smaller leaves, double fragrant blooms). If the area gets good drainage you might also consider Daphne odora aureamarginata (incredible fragrance). |
RE: Fragrant Evergreen Shrub Ideas
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| I agree with the daphne. Also, camelias have a nice scent and they prefer shade. Some can get pretty big though. |
RE: Fragrant Evergreen Shrub Ideas
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| I think fragrance is subjective - I personally found Daphne odora to be rather unpleasant, a bit too tangy for me, not very sweet. You might want to smell it in person first. I like the dwarf Gardenias (and I do like the scent of those). |
RE: Fragrant Evergreen Shrub Ideas
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| I'd try one of the summer flowering daphnes - like D. x transatlantica 'Summer Ice' or 'Eternal Fragrance'. Much more sun tolerant than Daphne odora and with a very long bloom season, comparatively. These are really semi-evergreen but will retain the bulk of their foliage in mild climates in a protected location. Fragrance IS subjective :-) Personally, I find gardenias to be cloyingly sweet but daphnes rather more sharp and citrus-like. It's all a matter of personal taste. |
RE: Fragrant Evergreen Shrub Ideas
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| I agree with those who have suggested gardenias for fragrance under your low windows. You may want to consider anchoring both ends of the gardenia planting with taller shrubs to provide a visual contrast. For winter and early spring fragrance, consider anchoring the gardenia planting with _Lonicera fragrantissima_ or _Lonicera purpusii_, or maybe a pair of _Chimonanthus praecox_. Do not even think about planting camellias under low windows. Camellias are slow-growing, evergreen trees that are marvelous in all respects but totally unsuitable for a confined space like the one you're landscaping. You also need to be aware that although there are thousands of registered _Camellia japonica_ cultivars, there are only a few fragrant ones. Most _Camellia japonica_ cultivars are scentless, unless you are a bee. Bees are drawn to the open flowers in droves. On the other hand, _Camellia sasanqua_ cultivars are almost all fragrant. However, many consider sasanqua perfume cloying. Locally, our yellow jacket population enjoys sasanqua nectar. |
RE: Fragrant Evergreen Shrub Ideas
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| How about Tea Olive (Osmanthus Fragrans) for fall fragrance? |
RE: Fragrant Evergreen Shrub Ideas
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| Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis (Sweetbox) would be another one you might like. It stays low. Doesn't really need any pruning. Most people find the frangrance to be nice in early spring. Not sure how much winter sun it can take though. It might bronze just a bit? Ours gets dappled morning sun. |
RE: Fragrant Evergreen Shrub Ideas
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| Are you depending on an open window, so can smell it while indoors, or is the location one that you will pass by frequently anyway, and if so, when are you most likely? That might influence whether you prefer early spring bloom or summer. gardengal, I want to look into these other Daphne's you mentioned. I am in love with my new winter Daphne and thought to just repeat it nearby or in another area of the yard, but having another bloom time and more sun tolerance sounds great. |
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