ident if possible fragrant evergreen hedge
By Pamg
east midlands,
United Kingdom 
strong sweet scent made you look where it came from which was a plain evergreen hedge with tiny sweet smelling flowers seen along south coast
anyone any ideas?
and if so would it be bonehardy further north
30 Sep, 2009
Answers
narrow oval very dark green smoothedged & leaf in flower on Hove seafront now very inconspicuous flower gorgeous sweet smell, the flower took a bit of finding
a wee bit like viburnum dawn but the leaf is all wrong
30 Sep, 2009
I'm thinking Osmanthus, either delaveyii or burkwoodii - they flower in spring, but often produce another lot in autumn - check google for pics?
30 Sep, 2009
thanks bamboo its been niggling me
30 Sep, 2009
Yea, but was that it?
30 Sep, 2009
Sarcococca? This flowers in winter, but maybe it's early?!
30 Sep, 2009
I did think of that one, Sid, but I have to say I've never, ever seen a hedge of sarcococca, and, as you say, it does flower usually in February, I think, isn't it - when I grew Osmanthus delaveyi, I did used to get some flowers in the autumn, but not many, it has to be said. Don't keep us in suspenders, Pamg:-(
30 Sep, 2009
More likely to be an eleagnus which are in flower now
30 Sep, 2009
When did it actually flower Pam? Pittosporum tobira will often grow happily in coastal areas.
30 Sep, 2009
Its in flower now at Hove seafront, Fractal
30 Sep, 2009
Another possible candidate Bamboo?
30 Sep, 2009
sorry i missed the answers last eve--
just looked up osmanthus again and added perfume -- theres someting called osmanthus fragrans or the fragrant olive I just need to find out if its hardy and likes an alkaline soil, thanks all for your input
it was the perfume the hedge itself was just a hedge bounding a bowls green but it scented the air around it
1 Oct, 2009
Was it Eleagnus ebbingii? This has a wonderful scent with inconspicuous flowers in Autumn.
1 Oct, 2009
Don't think so Fractal - most pittosporums have that slight waviness to the leaf edges, and Pamg said leaves weren't wavy at all.
1 Oct, 2009
Hi All thanks for your help I don't think its eleagnus I think Bamboo is right with osmanthus,I'll check the conditions it likes
2 Oct, 2009
We want a photo!....We want a photo!.....:-)
2 Oct, 2009
Now, now Fractal, stop stamping that foot....'-))
2 Oct, 2009
Lol :)
I reckon it's Sarcococca....mine's in bud, and I'm much further north than Pam...
2 Oct, 2009
Hi Bamboo, just going back to your point about the wavy leaves to Pittosporum, The species tobira has a flat, none wavy leaf edge, The more commonly seen tenuifolium has. :-)
3 Oct, 2009
Okay, Fractal, point taken; I'm sticking with Osmanthus anyway!
3 Oct, 2009
Ok :-)
4 Oct, 2009
Leaf description? Shape, size, toothed, wavy? And when was it in flower?
30 Sep, 2009