Edgeworthia chrysantha

Familiarly known as Paperbush Plant, this well-branched shrub often begins blooming in mid-winter, long after its foliage has fallen and its silhouette is a tracery of thick, upright branches, somewhat like a young fig tree with more spread. Each flowerhead is creamy yellow, composed of masses of tiny florets to form a 1½- to 2-inch cluster. The blooms are set on the very tips of the branches, and once they open, expect them to remain for 6 to 8 weeks, releasing a fabulously sweet, intense scent.

Winter is Edgeworthia's season of glory, but far from its only time to shine in the partly shaded garden. Spring brings large, slender leaves of blue-green, often with a silvery overlay. The foliage remains lush and green through summer, then turns a soft shade of yellow for autumn before dropping. Very handsome, it is a fine backdrop for Hosta and Brunnera in the shade border, and blooms at the same time as many Camellia cultivars.

Expect Edgeworthia to reach 8 feet tall and up to 18 feet wide in the garden, given good drainage and relief from punishing afternoon sun. Related to Daphne, it is long-lived and very low maintenance, reaching about 5 feet high within as many years. Superb in the back of the border, it is also a tempting choice to site along garden pathways, where visitors can touch its foliage and marvel at the blooms. Very highly recommended. Zones 7-9.