Oregon Grape Holly

In the early spring there are many plants and shrubs that give us pleasure with their fragrances. These are a few you could look for in the landscape: Oregon Grape Holly blooms in spring. It is an upright evergreen shrub with dark green, sharply-toothed leaves that acquire a purple hue in the winter. This shrub has spikes of fragrant yellow flowers with the scent of lily-of-the-valley. Bees and other pollinators welcome this early spring treat.

Chinese witch hazel is also in bloom. It is a deciduous shrub with extremely fragrant clusters of large golden-yellow flowers on its bare branches.

Viburnums are a deciduous, upright shrub that has densely packed clusters of large, sweetly fragrant rose, pink, or blush white flowers, depending on the species.

Pussy willow, Salix caprea, and catkins, which began to appear in late February, have a light fragrance. The flower clusters are filled with nectar which the insects love as a treat this time of the year.

There will be many more fragrances coming as more warm weather arrives. Look around the landscape to see what is in bloom and give the blooms a smell. You may be surprised at what you find!

Article by Dawne Howard, Master Gardener and FCFCDB member

Nature Note for 4/23/2017