IN THE GARDEN
Highly scented, bright, yellow spires are attractive not just in the garden, but to early flying bees searching for nectar-rich blooms. After flowering, the shrub stays evergreen so the tough, spiny-leaves form a staple garden backbone. Mahonia is a genus of approximately 70 species, thriving best in part shade, in moist, well-drained soil. Most varieties are remarkably frost-hardy.
This slow-growing, large shrub comes into its own in late winter with heavenly scent and flamboyant tassel-like flowers in shades of vivid yellow, orange, and red. This easy-to-grow, deciduous shrub likes a sunny spot and can reach a height and spread of 3m x 3m (10ft x 10ft). Find some great Hamamelis choices here.
Thriving in a dull shady spot, the glossy green leaves of this easy-to-grow perennial are commonly referred to as Elephant’s Ears. Their leathery feel makes them unattractive to slugs, rabbits, and deer. In early spring the basal leaves throw up clusters of pink or white flowers atop slender stems reaching to around 40cm (1.5ft). Bergenia is generally hardy with Bergenia cordifolia varieties tolerating temperatures as low as -35°C. For more reasons why you should be growing bergenia, click here.
Daphne leaves look good all year but in early spring, the shrub is at its best when covered in blooms. Growing up to 1.5m (4’11”), it makes a lovely shrub for a partially shady border, even thriving in a pot with ericaceous soil if given shelter from cold, drying winds. The slow-growing, fragrant ‘Perfume Princess’ hybrid is one of the best scented daphnes, boasting larger flowers than many others.
If you are looking to amuse garden visitors, introduce them to this rather unpleasant smelling, evergreen hellebore with a scent which can be fully appreciated on crushing the foliage. Thriving in a dry shady spot, the purple-edged green flowers of this compact shrub will grow to around 80cm (2.5ft).