Viburnum odoratissimum aka Sweet Arrowwood

Viburnum odoratissimum, also known as sweet viburnum, is a large, vigorous evergreen shrub or small tree that belongs to the genus Viburnum. Native to Asia, it is commonly cultivated as a garden ornamental in other regions. The shrub/tree can reach heights of up to 5m and has warty bark and glossy green leaves that are elliptic to oblong in shape, measuring up to 20cm long. The leaves are shallowly serrated towards the tips. During summer, the plant produces cone-shaped clusters of small, highly fragrant white flowers. These flowers are followed by small oval-shaped berries that turn from red to black as they mature. Viburnums, as a genus, encompass approximately 150 species of shrubs and trees. The foliage of Viburnums can be evergreen, semi-evergreen, or deciduous, depending on the specific species. The leaves are arranged oppositely or in whorls of three and can be ribbed, lustrous, toothed, or lobed. In the autumn, the leaves of deciduous viburnums take on warm shades. The flowers of Viburnums are typically grouped in panicles, cymes, bunches, or corymbs and almost always have five lobes. The flower colors can range from white and cream to pink. After flowering, vibrant red fruits become visible, although they are not edible for humans, they are enjoyed by birds. While Viburnum species usually bloom in the spring, there are exceptions such as Viburnum tinus, which flowers in winter.