When we moved several years ago we acquired a wide long bed running down most of our large garden that had absolutely nothing in it but daffodils and at the end nearest our patio a well established viburnum. We have gradually planted it out as a mainly perennial herbaceous border with heleniums,Echinacea,hardy geraniums etc.There's the odd carefully placed shrub as we brought some that had been in large containers from our last house.We started to realise that every spring for several weeks the viburnum was giving off a foul smell,and after research realised it was infested with a battle that's hard to eradicate.So we have pulled it out,leaving a gap about 2x2 metres to fill.As it's nearest the house and patio I'd like something evergreen,possibly scented and a bit of an architectural backdrop for perennials in front.I'm considering a fatsia japonica - never liked them much before but my tastes are changing !I've also seen a shrub called osmanthus burwoodii that apparently has scented flowers in spring.Does anyone have either of these.I want some height and structure but nothing too thuggish !Thanks.ps.its a semi shaded area due to next doors tree that gets sun in the afternoon and evening.
