Peter Dowdall: My pick of the scented winter-blooming bunch

Gardens should appeal to all the senses and fragrant plants blossom to the fore at this time of year

Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postill' is an evergreen winter and spring-flowering plant whose blooms are intensely fragrant. File pictures

Winter recently made her presence felt with her icy grip on our gardens. Now, while all sensible gardeners will have, as I did, run for the indoors in search of nice warm jobs that needed to be done, the outdoors was truly beautiful to look at. And if you are any good with the camera or smartphone, you could get some wonderful images.

However, a garden should appeal to all the senses and not just be aesthetically pleasing, and many scented plants come to the fore in winter.

Among the best of all the winter-flowering shrubs for scent are the daphnes and in particular, Daphne Jacqueline Postil, an evergreen shrub that bursts into bloom in mid-late winter, smothering herself with clusters of small, star-shaped, intensely fragrant flowers. 

Viburnum Dawn budding in the New York High Line Park. 

The mesmerising scent of this daphne is often described as sweet and citrusy. My olfactory nerve is neither sensitive nor fine-tuned enough to identify such specifics, so I can neither agree nor disagree — however, I can tell you that its blossoms will fill the air with their perfume, even on the coldest of days.

Another fabulous addition to any winter garden is the Viburnum x bodnantense. 

The variety Dawn is the one most commonly grown and it boasts clusters of pink, fragrant blossoms that appear on naked stems during December and January, creating a stunning spectacle and again, filling the garden with a sweet fragrance that lingers in the crisp winter air. These scents seem to linger in the air for longer, the lower the temperatures are.

Winter honeysuckle, Lonicera fragrantissima.

You may pass by the delicate, nearly unseen blooms of the winter-flowering honeysuckle Lonicera fragrantissima without even noticing the flowers but you will stop in your tracks as the scent finds its way into your nasal passage.

The same is true with sarcococcas which have rather insignificant blooms but emit such a captivating fragrance that you can enjoy it from halfway across the garden.

These fabulous and enchanting aromas that emanate from these winter wonders are not simply a nice “added extra” to appeal to us humans, no, they are the result of intricate biological processes that have evolved to ensure the survival and reproductive success of these plants over millennia.

The production of fragrant compounds in plants serves various purposes, including attracting pollinators, deterring herbivores, and combating pathogens. In the case of winter-flowering plants, the ability to produce scents becomes especially crucial in the colder months when pollinators may be scarce.

The sweet, alluring fragrances emitted by winter-flowering plants are often designed to entice specific pollinators, such as moths or early-emerging bees, which are vital for the plant’s reproduction. By releasing their specific scents, these plants increase the likelihood of attracting these essential pollinators, thus ensuring the successful transfer of pollen and the production of seeds.

Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postill'.

The chemical compounds responsible for the magical and captivating scents of winter-flowering plants are as diverse as the plants themselves. These compounds, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are often produced in specialized structures such as flowers, leaves, or stems.

Among the most common VOCs responsible for the enchanting fragrances in our winter gardens are terpenes, phenylpropanoids, and benzenoids, each contributing distinct notes and undertones to the overall scent profile of the plant.

Terpenes, for instance, are responsible for the fresh, citrusy aromas found in plants such as Daphne odora, while phenylpropanoids contribute to the warm, spicy scents present in Viburnum x bodnantense. The intricate combination of these VOCs gives each plant its unique aroma, captivating our human senses and attracting pollinators.

Through evolutionary processes, these plants have developed mechanisms to thrive in colder temperatures, including the production of antifreeze compounds, modifications in cellular structure, and adjustments in metabolic processes.

Beyond their role in attracting pollinators, the scents of winter-flowering plants also serve as a form of chemical defence, deterring herbivores and pathogens, particularly during a time when resources may be scarce. The VOCs released by these plants can act as a form of chemical warfare, repelling potential herbivores and preventing the advances of microbial invaders.

Winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima). 

Who knew there was so much going on behind the simple scent of a flower? They not only allure but also protect, contributing to the overall resilience of these plants in the face of nature’s challenges.

Whilst perhaps the most important reason for scent in winter flowers is to attract pollinators, we shouldn’t overlook or discount the effect these scents have on us humans. 

The presence of scented plants in the winter garden also offers a multitude of benefits, the fragrant blossoms and foliage providing a sensory hit. 

The alluring scents that permeate the air can uplift the spirits, evoke memories, and create a sense of connection to the natural world.

• Got a gardening question for Peter Dowdall? Email [e-mail]