I was given a cutting of this shrub many years ago when we moved into our current house and the garden was ripe for planting.

That original gift is now all of 3m tall and currently smothered in perfumed blossom – the heaviest crop of flowers it’s ever had, probably because of the hot summer. Viburnum farreri bears clusters of sweetly scented white flowers opening from pink buds in late autumn, again in spring and in mild spells throughout winter.

This is a deciduous shrub and its leaves are just turning bronze, red and purple. I also like the way the new leaves unfold bronzed in spring. I use its bare branches to hang bird feeders on during the winter months and thin out any old congested branches at this time, cutting them away at the base. Young plants have an upright shape, becoming more rounded in maturity with gracefully arching branches. Mature height and spread in 10-20 years, 3m x 2.5m (10 ft x 8ft).

An easy shrub with a long season of interest for any soil, in sun or part shade.