The shrubs were growing in our local park. They were not remarkable in anyway really, probably about 6' wide by 6' high. However, the strong lemony fragrance from the small flowers was irresitable to me. I broke off a few branches, and hope to propogate them... They were growing in full sun here in central New Jersey, blooming right now, April 28. Does anyone know what it is
It looks like Mock-orange or Syringa (Philadelphus spp) to me, and certainly sounds like it smells like one.
Ditto to Eric and Luddite, Lonicera, not Philadelphus nor Syringa. Note the flowers showing only vertical, not full bilateral, symmetry.
If one of the winter-blooming types the one that is common on the market and is also listed as a naturalized pest in eastern USA is L. fragrantissima. Photo shows a leaf shape resembling L. standishii, sold by specialty nurseries. L. x purpusii I have not seen offered and would probably snap up if I did. I have seen it mentioned once or twice on other occasions by people posting from North American locations, otherwise it is another one of those often seen described as desirable by British references but not prevalent over here.
Sure that Ron B is probably correct with Lonicera fragrantissima.The shrubby winter flowering honeysuckles are difficult to tell apart. Attached are close ups taken of Lonicera standishii.
Here is picture of Lonicera 'Winter Beauty' blooming in early March. It doesn't sucker for me but is straggly unless you can train it upright. It has a lovely fragrance. A former director of UBC Botanical Garden used to import unusual garden plants from England. That is how I got mine. If you are ever in Vancouver Ron, I'll give you a cutting. Otherwise maybe we should propagate it for the PPS next year. I think though that it is a bit more common around here than south of the border. Marilyn
'Winter Beauty' leaves. Sorry, can't remember the fruit colour, which might have helped identify. Seems like L. standishii also may have naturalized in the eastern U.S.
The berries on Lonicera standishii, L.fragrantissima, L. x purpusii, and L.x purpusii Winter Beauty are all red.So unfortunately that won't help with identification.