Question
I have a vibernum in my garden and at this time of year the evening scent is so stong its fabulous,I would love to buy some more to fill the garden with there smell but do not know what it is called.It has very small star like flowers that are white with a pink tinge.Hope you can help.

Answer
Vibernums are the cat's meow as far as I'm concerned.  Some have NO fragrance, so you're right, you have to know what you're doing.

Best are Viburnum Carlesii and Viburnum Burkwoodii, both profiled in a book long ago called The Fragrant Year.  Pick up a copy on eBay or Craigslist.com if you can get one.  It is the Fragrance Bible with detailed notes of two gardening friends  who loved growing scented specimens in their Connecticut and Pennsylvania plots.

Bluestone Perennials (www.bluestoneperennials.com/) offers V. Burkwoodii and another species I am not familiar with, V. Aurora, which it claims is also very fragrant.  I would try them both.

Bluestone's V. Burkwoodii is offered as the more common species and also as a variety, V. burkwoodii Mohawk, which has white/pink flowers that you may find resembles your own specimen.

Remember - many Viburnums are NOT fragrant.  These are the ones you want.

They grow well with Daphne odora, by the way.  Carol Mackie Daphne is very easy to find.

Plant some Hyacinths and you'll want to sleep in the back yard all spring.  I'll be coming over too!

Thanks for writing.  Let me know if you have any questions.