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April 04, 2005
What's Blooming 4/4
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Although most garden lovers are desperately looking for the first daffodils, there are a number of quiet, unassuming shrubs whose delicate perfume announces the onset of spring. Mahonia aquifolium or Oregon Grape Holly is one. It's what people call an "architectural" plant, which is sometimes a euphemism for a homely one. It flowers early in the spring, this week at the Clinton Community Garden in Hell's Kitchen. The blossoms are a not too remarkable yellow, but it has a clean, sweet scent that sails over the damp earthy smells of the early spring garden.
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Another early pleasure is Sarcococca houkerana humilis, or Sweet Box. A low-growing (12"), shade-loving shrub with small glossy leaves somewhat reminiscent of abelia, its flowers are insignificant to the point of being almost invisible....but its delicious scent can perfume a garden. It is well worth getting down on your knees to get a noseful. In warmer climates sarcococca is known as a winter-flowering plant, but it has been blooming for only a week here in the Northeast.
A little later in the season, possibly next week, we will see Abeliophyllum distichum, or White Forsythia, which appears just before the ubiquitous yellow Forsythia. Although commercial descriptions often refer to Abeliophyllum's showy white flowers, they could never be called spectacular. The smell is another story. Strong and sweet, it seems to travel long distances and more than makes up for the the plant's untidy habit and smallish flowers.
Posted by gardenguidenyc at April 4, 2005 05:19 PM