| General Description | Large, vigorous, easy to grow, rounded shrub yielding clusters of very fragrant white flowers. Leaves are a dark green. Flowers for 2 weeks a year, with highly scented blooms with a refreshing orangey perfume. |
| ID Characteristic | Fragrant very attractive white flowers. Bark is reddish brown and exfoliating. |
| Shape | Medium to large shrub, very rounded with straight branches that arch with age. |
| Landscape | Has a very sweet scented, white flower. Not recommended for modern gardens; some of the floriferous cultivars are more suitable since they are smaller in stature. |
| Propagation | Seed sown or take softwood cuttings in June/July, or hardwood cuttings in autumn or winter. |
| Cultivation | Not particular to soil types, transplants readily, prefers full sun or light shade. Optimal soil would be moist, well drained, and supplied with organic matter. Prune by removing old wood after flowering. Can be cut right to the ground at this stage. Root systems are extensive and can get massive. |
| Pests | Leaf spots, rust, aphids, powdery mildew, canker, nematodes and leaf miner. |
| Notable Specimens | Bayfield Public Library, Bayfield, Ontario |
| Habitat | Prefers a moist, well-drained soil, full sun or light shade. Grows in the deep woods in the wild. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Orange to reddish brown; exfoliating. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Solitary, fixed in one place, lacking terminal dominance, with 2 nearly valvate, mostly hairy scales. |
| Leaf Description | 4-10 cm long , 1.5-5 cm wide, dark green foliage. Opposite growth pattern, simple, ovate to ovate-oblong, rounded at the base, slightly dentate. Sometimes shows comatose on the veins, has a hairy petiole. |
| Flower Description | Perfect; with 4 petals, 4 sepals, multiple stamens, very fragrant ,white, 2.5-4 cm across. Flowers from May to early June. |
| Fruit Description | Persistant four-valved dehiscent capsule with many seeds. |
| Colour Description | Green leaves with white flowers, orange to reddish brown bark; exoliating white with age. |
| Texture Description | A bit coarse during all seasons. |
