20 FEBRUARY 1948, Page 14

In the Garden Has anyone explained how it comes about

that the winter-flowering shrubs, which are seldom visited by insects, are peculiarly sweet-scented? A single bough of Chimomanthus, or winter-sweet, scents the whole room in which I write. A Viburnum Fragrans, very full of blossom, growing by the wall scents the bedroom above it. It is quite difficult to pass the little Daphne without putting your nose to its purple flowers. Even the Stylosa Iris, which again is flowering with extra exuberance, has its own delicate fragrance. It is in these winter months that one feels disposed to make the whole garden an exclusive garden of shrubs, thbugh with bulbs at the foot. Shrubs alone give you flowers all the

year round, and bright berries to boot. W. BEACH THOMAS.