Winter Flowers and Fragrance Finds (from my travels)

One of my favourite things about gardening is noticing what’s in flower when most of the garden is asleep — especially the plants that smell incredible in winter. Over the last few weeks I’ve come across three proper winter stars, and they’ve all stuck with me for different reasons.

Hamamelis mollis (Witch Hazel) — Brewery Arts Garden

I first clocked the witch hazel in the Brewery Arts garden — a place I always like to walk through because it’s so well kept and full of good plant choices. Even in winter it feels cared for.

The witch hazel was flowering away when everything else looked quiet, and it had that light, sweet scent that makes you slow down and actually look. Now I have to check on it every time I walk through the Brewery Arts garden — even if I’m late for the cinema — and I’m forever pointing it out to my long-suffering partner and friends.

Sarcococca confusa (sweet box) — the “what is that smell?” moment

This one made me laugh because I didn’t spot it straight away — I was working and kept thinking, what is that lovely smell at this time of year? 

I turned around and there it was: Sarcococca confusa. The flowers are tiny, but the fragrance is massive. It’s one of those shrubs that earns its place in a garden, especially near paths and doorways where you’ll pass it often.

Lonicera fragrantissima (Winter honeysuckle) — from the RHS email to real life an hour later

I’d been reading about winter honeysuckle in the RHS members’ weekly email, and then not long after, I opened a gate and there it was in all its glory.

It was very overgrown, so I ended up pruning it back — but even then, the scent and the winter flowers were exactly what I’d been reading about. It’s a brilliant shrub for that “lift” in the colder months, and it’s tough enough to handle a tidy-up after flowering.

If you want winter scent…

These are the plants I’d choose if you want a garden that gives something back in winter — flowers, structure and fragrance — not just “wait until spring”.

If you’ve got a spot near a path, gate or front door and you’re not sure what would work there, message me with a quick photo and whether it’s sun or shade, and I’ll suggest a few options.