The following was received via email: Hello, I have a strip, 3' wide and 23' long, between an east-facing housewall and a parking lot that needs planting. Our location is Kitsilano (about 50 meters from the sea), we favour local, low-maintenance plants (as part of strata regulations). I would like some advice about flowering, scented shrubs, something that will not grow beyond 10' and not too round as we have a wheelchair access right beside the bed in question. Can you help me?
Hello, Well, that's quite a list of criteria! You can't have absolutely everything.... A few plants that come close to meeting all your requirements are: 1) Mahonia aquifolium. It is native, with bright yellow, fragrant flowers between November and May. They are low-growing, with holly-like leaves (about 3 feet wide and 6 feet tall after 10 years). 2) Vaccinium corymbosum. The highbush blueberry is faintly honey scented, with white urn-shaped flowers. It has good interest through all four seasons, between spring flowers, summer foliage, gorgeous fall colour, and interesting bark. It has edible black fruit, and gets to about 4 ft high. 3) Ribes sanguineum. Winter flowering currant. Has very showy pink and white flowers from March to May in drooping clusters. Gets to be about 6 ft. high. Unfortunately isn't fragrant, but probably the most showy choice of the three. I hope that will help. Regards, UBC Hortline
