Scented winter wonders are not only great structural additions but also thoroughly better-making; if anything is going to get you outside, then it’ll be these.

First up is Sarcococca confusa (above)– glossy green, smart, clippable, dry-shade tolerant and smelling of sweet-shops. You will never regret having it. Next, Daphne odora ‘aureomarginata’ –

with absolutely stunning pale-margined green leaves and waxy pink flowers that smell like you’ve died and gone to heaven. You have to be nice to it, and give it a sheltered spot with well-drained but fertile soil, but if it likes you then glory will be yours. My tip is to get small plants (I’ve linked to a set of three above) so that you can plant in different parts of the garden and if one doesn’t like its spot, then you won’t lose out too much. Last but not least, is Viburnum tinus Don’t turn your nose up and tell me it’s only for a car park…this is a true beauty – loves being clipped and preened, into lolly pops (linked above, which I heartily recommend) and hedges and all manner of things, and has scented flowers from December onwards. And one more thing; if you don’t mind a bit of messy, then Lonicera x purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’, has the gorgeousest scent of all.