Fragrant Plant

A couple of people on the Texas forum were recently talking about a shrub that smelled wonderful. They said the fragrance was a blend of something, something and apricots. I've driven myself nuts looking for the thread that was on. Does anyone recognize this description and know what the plant was or what thread it was on? I thought it was our "fireside chat", but it's not there. Anyone who is less senile than I am and remembers, please let me know. I'm thinking it might have been an osmanthus, but not sure.

Thanks,
Crow

Have you checked out the Fragrant Gardening forum? I have an Osmanthus Fragrant Olive tree. It is so small I could not tell you what it smells like.

There is also another shrub called Winter Honeysuckle, Lonicera fragrantissima, that is evergreen and smells wonderful. It is on the Texas invasives list so I don't recommend it.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/400/

http://www.texasinvasives.org/invasives_database/detail.php?symbol=LOFR

But maybe the one you are thinking about is not this one.

I can not believe the Winter Honeysuckle is considered invasive. I have had several for over twelve years and have never seen a seedling on our place. Other shrubs like Nandina and Hollies come up everywhere.

Believe me they spread, there are quite a few of them in the woods around here.

Ken, I think that is the one I'm thinking of. I'm sure it wasn't a honeysuckle of any kind.

Crowelli ~ I have a small Osmanthus fragrans or sweet olive. It is in bloom this time of year. The blooms are miniscule but the fragrance is large and delightful. I am not good at describing scents so don't know if this was the one you were thinking of... I don't remember this one getting honorable mention by the fireside threads this season though.

If you shop for one, read this thread first... http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/998403/

I have both the sweet olive and winter honeysuckle. The sweet olive blooms in the cooler (not cold) weather, not during the hot summer days.

The winter honeysuckle blooms in the middle of winter, and has a lemony scent. I do not find it invasive, here. It does, however, spread enough that you can give a couple starts away every year or two. I have never seen seedlings, only increase from the roots.

During the big snow of 2010, Maggi and I got bundled up to play and as we were outside we could often catch the sent of the Winter Honeysuckle. I just love a plant that will bloom with such fragrance when it is covered with six inches of snow. The fragrant Olive tree has bloomed but only a few little blooms and it was not enough to catch much of a fragrance. I just planted it last year so maybe this year it will do some blooming for me. I have had a Banana Shrub ( Magnolia figo) that is very fragrant and at times I can smell it before I pull into the driveway. Our first bush is about eight years old and then three years a friend brought us two more fro a nursery in Houston. Then we found a newer type called Skenneri, just guessing on the spelling. It is a very fast grower but is somewhat lanky and need to be trimmed to keep a good shape. We also found a Port Wine at a nursery in AL when we were at a plant swap. It's blooms have a nice port color but the plant is not as vigorous figo. We now have six Banana Shrubs and can not wait until they start to bloom. Gardenias are another great shrub, we have 13, all cuttings off the first. I would like to find one that blooms all Summer that is hardy in our area. When they are in bloom, the yard is heavenly. It's late I'm going back to bed.

It wasn't late Ken ~ it was 'early'. lol

Yes, too early. Sometimes Banana Shrubs will putout some blooms in the Fall but here they usually start around the first of March and sometimes run through April. They are not easy to fine in local nurseries but can be found in mail order. Year before last I rooted several, then lost them from lack of care late in the year. I need a timer for my misting system to really do the job. I bet they would be a real hit at the swaps.

Some Sasanqua Camellias have a fragrance but it is usually not that strong. If you put your nose in the bloom you can smell them but not just walking by the shrub unless it is a very large shrub. Then again they are one of the only shrubs that bloom after the first frost of Winter, you just have to love that.