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ID on fragrant shrub please

GuybrushGuybrush Posts: 172
in Plants

Hi folks!

There's a very fragrant shrub at the local playground. It has been formed into a hedge by the council and doesn't look very interesting but it has a lovely scent. I noticed it the other day as I was cutting through the park. It has a lily type scent and has shiny leaves with raised specks on them. The flowers as you can see in the picture are small white bells and is flowering now.

Cheers

James

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Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,743

    elaeagnus ebbingei

    Devon.
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,024

    Agree with Hostafan. Sweet smell this time of the year.

    You are invited to a virtual visit of my garden (in English or in French).
  • GuybrushGuybrush Posts: 172

    Thanks for the ID, I've not heard of that one before. It's nice to have something smelly this time of year. I might get myself one for the front garden. Any idea if they can be kept small or it is just a matter of hacking it back every so often?

    Cheers

    James

    Last edited: 01 October 2016 00:57:33

  • Hortum-cretaeHortum-cretae Posts: 979

    It's potentially a big shrub, so not one to be kept easily under 5 or 6ft.  Widely used by landscapers as it's such a good 'doer', but it has a certain appeal. The scent is as sweet as any star plant.  Just one tiny flower is amazingly powerful.  

    H-C 

  • WeaveyDaveyWeaveyDavey Posts: 575

    Around this time of year that councils are apt to 'tidy' their shrubs, Guybrush: I'd go for a stroll with a poly bag and see if their follow-up team have left a few 'cuttings' under the skirts of the shrub you're interested in...??  (time passes...) If the rooted cuttings 'take', there should be enough to pot up after a winter in a sheltered corner or coldframe. Good luck!

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,366

    I have several shrubs that started that way David image



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,024

    Guybrush "I might get myself one for the front garden."

    IMHO elaeagnus ebbingei is best suited for hedges. As an individual standalone subject, it does not have a nice habit, as it tends to grow untidy shoots all over the place. I would not recommend it unless you have plenty of space and are ready to trim it twice a year.

    You are invited to a virtual visit of my garden (in English or in French).
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,138

    They do make good hedges but the sad thing is that the flowers are lost, then, for the most part. Having said this, I am struggling to think of another late-flowering, highly scented shrub. There are Buddleia (also horrid habit) and some Mahonia are coming into flower.

  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,024

    @Cambridgerose12

    Buddleia is not late-flowering. What about Abelia  × grandiflora ?

    You are invited to a virtual visit of my garden (in English or in French).
  • MayLaneMayLane Posts: 203

    I love Christmas Box / Sacrococca confusa. Smells beautiful in Winter with white flowers. Also has black berries. I have just bought a couple for the front garden. Bit boring looking however,  but I think the scent is worth it. 

    Last edited: 04 October 2016 10:53:49

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