Valued for the sweet, fruity fragrance of its flowers, Calycanthus floridus 'Michael Lindsey' (Carolina Allspice) is a compact, dense, rounded, well-branched deciduous shrub that is regarded as one of the best cultivars of Carolina Allspices. Exceptionally fragrant, with scents of fruit and spice, reddish-brown flowers, 2 in. wide (5 cm), somewhat resembling magnolia blossoms, are produced in abundance at the ends of short branchlets in late spring - early summer before giving way to urn-shaped fruits which mature to brown in fall and persist throughout the winter. The lustrous foliage of dark green oval leaves, with gracefully and elegantly pointed tips and lighter gray-green underside, consistently turns an attractive golden-yellow in fall.

Chaenomeles speciosa 'Kinshiden' (Japanese Quince) is a spreading, deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of double, pale lemony-white flowers. Borne on thorny, tangled branches, they bloom in profusion for 4-6 weeks in early spring and give way to small, aromatic, greenish yellow fruits, 2 in. across (5 cm), which ripen in early fall.

Chaenomeles speciosa 'Moerloosei' (Japanese Quince) is a spreading medium-sized deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of apple blossom pink and white blooms, up to 1.5 in. across (3-4 cm). Borne on thorny, tangled branches before the glossy, dark green leaves appear, they bloom in profusion for a few weeks in early spring and give way to small, fragrant, apple-shaped, greenish-yellow fruits, 2 in. across (5 cm), which ripen in early fall. This shrub has a strong, upright habit and is a good choice for wall training.

Highly desirable, Chaenomeles speciosa 'Nivalis' (Japanese Quince) is a spreading, deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of pure white flowers, up to 1.5 in. across (3-4 cm). Borne on thorny, tangled branches, they bloom in profusion for a few weeks in early spring and give way to small, fragrant, greenish yellow fruits, 2 in. across (5 cm), which ripen in early fall. This ornamental quince is one of the earliest to flower.

A truly beautiful shrub with distinctive, bright pink, bottlebrush-like, flower spikes, delightfully fragrant and long-lasting (up to six weeks) in mid-late summer. It also provides great fall color with its lustrous dark green leaves turning glowing yellow. More compact than the species, this hardy shrub should be planted near a patio to enjoy its extremely fragrant summer blooms. Insect and disease-resistant, its flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

Prized for its brilliant variegated foliage, Daphne × burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie' (Daphne) is a small, rounded, semi-evergreen shrub with delightfully fragrant clusters of pale pink flowers in late spring. Persisting well into winter, the foliage of oblong, gray-green leaves, 2 in. long (5 cm), is adorned by striking, golden margins that mature to creamy-white. Fluttering above the foliage, the blossoms give way to tiny red fruits in fall. A compact and highly ornamental flowering shrub that is perfect for small gardens.

A favorite of many gardeners - and deservedly so - Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' (Smooth Hydrangea) is an outstanding flowering shrub. In early summer, this small, bushy deciduous shrub produces huge, rounded flower clusters, up to 12 in. across (30 cm), that brighten shady areas and bring life to the garden. Blooming for up to two months, the blossoms open lime-green, mature to brilliant white, then back to pale green in late summer before switching to a tan shade in the fall. Prized for its excellent resistance to insects and diseases, Annabelle is a good choice for the mixed border. The flowers make great cut flowers, fresh or dried.

The state flower of Connecticut, Kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that gets covered with abundant clusters of bright pale pink flowers, opening from deeper pink buds and lasting for several weeks in late spring and early summer. Very showy, the blooms are bell-shaped, white to pink with deep rose spots inside, and give way to brown fruits that persist into winter. The quality year-round foliage of oval, leathery, glossy leaves changes from light-green to dark-green to purple throughout the year and is reminiscent of the leaves of rhododendrons. Native to Eastern North America, Mountain Laurel is one of the most beautiful native flowering shrubs and is well displayed as an ornamental in many gardens.

Noted for its green winter stems and yellow spring flowers, Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora' (Japanese Kerria) is a vigorous suckering deciduous shrub of great beauty. In spring, it gets covered with bright yellow, pom-pom-like flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm). Borne on slender, arching stems, the blossoms resemble small roses. The foliage of prominently veined, narrow, light green leaves unfolds in the spring. It turns yellow in the fall, before falling to the ground, revealing attractive, bright green, winter stems. Highly popular, Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora' is a tough, but graceful flowering shrub that is pleasant in every season.

Beloved for its extraordinarily fragrant winter blooms, Lonicera fragrantissima (Sweetest Honeysuckle) is a bushy deciduous shrub. From late winter to early spring, a profusion of highly fragrant, short-tubed, creamy-white flowers, lines up along each stem, before the leaves emerge. The budded branches may be cut for fragrant, indoor arrangements. The flowers give way to small, red berries which mature in late spring to early summer. Bushy, this multi-stemmed flowering shrub has a spreading habit and sports smooth, oval, dark green leaves, which generally remain most of the winter unless the weather gets unusually cold. The rough-textured, pale tan or gray bark on old stems becomes prominent in winter for additional appeal.

Regarded as one of the most fragrant of all Mock Oranges, Philadelphus 'Avalanche' is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub of great beauty when in bloom. In late spring to early summer, its pleasantly arching branches bear clusters of cup-shaped, 4-petaled, white flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), at their tips. The blossoms stand out against the foliage of oval, dark green leaves. Introduced in 1896, 'Avalanche' is a lovely flowering shrub that deserves a spot where its fragrance can be enjoyed.

Eye-catching, Pieris japonica 'Red Head' (Japanese Andromeda) is a bushy, rounded, evergreen shrub that provides desirable winter interest, abundant spring blooms and a striking foliage which emerges bright red before turning glossy, dark green. In early spring, large, clusters of pink buds open to fragrant, urn-shaped, pendulous, creamy-white flowers. Resembling Lily-of-the-Valley blossoms, the flowers contrast nicely with the shiny, dark green foliage.

Extremely winter hardy, Prunus tomentosa (Nanking Cherry) is a very desirable, deciduous shrub with showy flowers, tasty fruits, and eye-catching exfoliating bark. Opening from pink buds in early spring, as the leaves begin to unfold, masses of fragrant white flowers, up to 1 in. wide (2.5 cm), literally cover the stems. The bright red stalks and calyx make a lovely contrast with the white petals. They are followed by a profusion of edible, scarlet fruits which ripen in early-mid summer. The foliage of serrate, obovate to elliptic, dark green leaves is downy underneath. Nanking Cherry develops a lustrous dark reddish-brown bark that exfoliates in thin strips of vertical curls with age. Vigorous, Nanking Cherry adapts well to cold winters, hot summers, and drought.

An incredible beauty for most seasons, Viburnum carlesii (Koreanspice Viburnum) is a bushy, medium-sized, deciduous shrub noted for its heady fragrance, stunning snowball blooms and attractive fall color. In spring, red flower buds open to very fragrant, blushing pink flowers arranged in snowball clusters, 3 in. wide (7 cm). Elegantly held above the foliage, they gradually fade to brilliant white. They give way to oval, bright red fruits, borne in dense upward clusters, that ripen to black in late summer. The foliage of broadly ovate leaves emerges copper-colored, matures to dull dark green before turning either glorious wine-red or dull burgundy shades in fall.

With four seasons of interest, Viburnum trilobum 'Redwing' (American Cranberrybush) is a lovely addition to the landscape. In spring, this densely branched, deciduous shrub produces showy, lacy, white flowers in flat cymes of tiny fertile florets surrounded by an outer ring of larger sterile florets. They are elegantly held above the red-blushed leaves. In late summer, the attractive blooms give way to drooping clusters of ornamental bright red berries that persist from fall through early winter. In the fall, the handsome foliage of three-lobed, maple-like, dark green leaves, turns a brilliant red.