January isn't known as the happiest month, but a scented conservatory can help cheer you up, no matter how chilly the mornings are.
When they imagine a fragrant garden, many envision a springtime paradise in full bloom, sprinkled with delicate roses, magnolias and lilacs. But, as gardeners know, a well-maintained garden can bring joy any time of year—as long as you know which plants will thrive in cold, dry soil.
While you may think your garden will sleep through the coming warmer months, there are still ways to fill the air with the sweet aroma of May.
According to information on the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) website: "A garden of highly fragrant winter-flowering shrubs such as Daphne volua, Mahonia japonica and Lonicera fragrantissima can turn a dreary, dark season into something worth looking forward to."
Daphne Volois
Daphne bholua, also known as 'Jacqueline Postil', is the hardest winter flowering plant. With purplish-pink petals scattered across delicate clusters of flowers, you'd be forgiven for thinking it's not a very hardy shrub. This beautiful plant, which begins to bloom before Christmas, is actually much tougher than it appears at first glance and can withstand even the heaviest layers of frost.
Best of all, those who take the time to care for it will be rewarded with a sweet, fresh scent that can fill the entire garden. The perfect welcome home on a dark winter evening.
Mahogany is Japanese
According to Gardener's World, Mahonia japonica's lemon yellow flowers bloom from fall through spring and are an excellent source of pollen and nectar for winter bee colonies. The flowers emit a fresh lily-of-the-valley fragrance that will remind you of sunny days ahead, even if you're wearing a hat, scarf and gloves.
Very fragrant Lonicera
Lonicera Fragrantissima, also called winter honeysuckle or sweet honeysuckle, has cream-colored flowers and red berries and blooms from December to March. This beautiful, pollen-rich plant will attract bees to your garden and is highly regarded for its fragrant, far-reaching fragrance.
According to the RHS: "This is a beautiful deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub that blooms best when placed against a sunny wall. Try planting it near an entrance or pathway so you can smell its sweet scent at every stop as you pass."
Do you have a story to share? Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com
