PLANT OF THE WEEK

If you are a fan of scented flowers, some of the most impressive fragrances are found in the late-spring flowering group of viburnums, which includes viburnum carlesii “Aurora”, v juddii and v burkwoodii.

They out-perfume just about anything else in the garden. The flowers are produced in rounded clusters, which start off as pink buds, opening out to white. Late-spring viburnums aren’t seen – or smelled – anything like as often as they should be, since the shrubs grow a tad large for many gardens, at five or six feet in all directions.

You might sniff them out on a spring visit to a park, or look in the garden centre just in case they have one in full bloom. You’ll find it hard to resist. This group of viburnums all enjoy light dappled shade, ideal for growing at the back of a border or under a tree that doesn’t cast too much shade.

No regular pruning is needed but they’ll really appreciate a mulch and feed each spring.