[sunshineband]

We are going to take out a partially dead Pieris japonica from behind our rhododendrons, and are wanting to replace it with something that flowers at another time in the year and has scented flowers.

Hardly any sun but not dark. Soil is clayey but improved with leaf mould for 25 yrs so is a bit on the acid side.

Flower colour does not matter, deciduous or evergreen OK

Size up to 2.5 m high

Wondered if anyone has any suggestions please?

Don't want anythhing ridiculousl expensive as we shall need to buy a reasonably sized plant or it will be right down in the dark on three sides. 

Be grateful for ideas

[cob nut]

How about a Mahonia Japonica - has long racemes of small yellow flowers with a lovely "lily of the valley" fragrance, a winter flowerer and in flower now...also has evergreen 'holly like' leaves.

[sunshineband]

That is a lovely suggestion, but one of Mr Sunny's less favourite plants.

I might have to do a bit of subliminal persuasion there 

[New shoot]

Based on what you are able to get in a decent size, would Photinia Red Robin be a suggestion Sunny?  Evergreen, tolerant of most growing conditions, doesn't cost a fortune in a decent size.  Does flower (not scented ) in the summer, but red new leaves for about 8-9 months of the year.

My other suggestion would be Elaeagnus x ebbingei.  Again shouldn't cost a fortune in a large size, pretty silver speckled leaves, will do shade and has fantastic scented white flowers in late summer.  You don't see them particularly well but you sure smell 'em 

[plum crumble]

Fatsia Japonica is shade tolerant, clay tolerant, evergreen. Could be worth a try. there is also a variegated version as well. Large glossy leaves, white flowers followed by black berries.

[8doubles]

That is a lovely suggestion, but one of Mr Sunny's less favourite plants.

I might have to do a bit of subliminal persuasion there 

I`m with Mr Sunny on this one, i like to garden bare handed and the fallen leaves are a real pain in the r`s or anywhere else.

One of the high spots of last year was cutting the Mahonia down and poisoning the roots !

[sunshineband]

I like the sound of these so I shall find some illustrations of

Photinia
Fatsia japonica
Eleagnus

for Mr Sunny, because this area is only about ten feet from the back door so he does need to like it too

I have to say the scent of Eleagnus is out of this world

Thanks guys!

[Debz]

What about a Philadelphus?  Beautiful scent and doesn't seem to mind living in an acid soil in my mums garden between rhods and azaleas.

[sunshineband]

What about a Philadelphus?  Beautiful scent and doesn't seem to mind living in an acid soil in my mums garden between rhods and azaleas.

Would it cope with shade, Debz?