Fragrant Spring Plants

Late-winter and early-spring bloomers are among the most fragrant plants in the garden. Hamamelis mollis (zone 5), for example, offers the headiest scent of the Chinese witch hazels. It begins blooming during cooler winter and spring days, and offers a visual delight when spring is still only on the verge of bursting out.

Knock yourself out with fragrance in early spring by combining H. mollis with evergreen sweetbox (Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilus, zone 6). The tidy dark-green foliage of this low-growing shrub is a perfect underplanting for the bare branches of the witch hazel. Sweetbox too bears richly scented, small white flowers and blooms in the cooler first days of spring.

For even greater impact, add the fragrant multi-stemmed shrub winter hazel (Corylopsis glabrescens, zone 7), which will begin blooming as the temperatures climb. Its lemon-yellow blossoms hang from the branches like jewels, and when backlit by spring afternoon sun, it offers a stunning display through its twiggy form.

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