The handsome, long-lasting, deep green leaves are lance-shaped up to 4in(iocm) long and, if this is not enough, the large bell-shaped, nodding, waxy-white flowers with orange anthers are borne in slender panicles like lily-of-the-valley in May, Truly, this is a stately shrub which needs a mild, sheltered garden and dappled shade to be seen at its best. Uniting, in its flowering period, the spring and summer seasons, Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum is one of those splendid shrubs combining an attractive habit, leaves, flowers, fruits and autumn colour. Broader than high its branches are carried in flattened tiers creating a table-top or wedding-cake effect when in flower. The pleated leaves are closely followed by flattened heads of white lacecap flowers which are carried from May into early June. They sit in two ranks along the upper sides of the branches and are followed by red berries turning eventually to black at which time, in a good year, the leaves are prettily tinted. The most commonly planted cultivar of the above is named 'Mariesii', while for those who prefer a more vigorous form there is a cultivar named 'Pink Beauty' in which the flowers turn to pink as they age. Summer After the mad rush of flowering shrubs in April and May things settle down to an easier pace during summer, the main flowering being shared between several large genera. Philadelphus provides a feast of flower and fragrance at this time with species and cultivars to suit most gardens. For small gardens the small-leaved, small-flowered P. microphyllus is a delight, rarely exceeding 4ft(i.25m) in height. It has a dense rounded habit. If it can be givena dry, sunny position it will flower its heart out in June and, at the same time, fill the air with its perfume. The next four hybrids of exceeding merit are worth a place in any garden. In order of size, and beginning with the smallest, they are: 'Sybille', 'Belle Etoile', 'Beauclerk' and 'Voie Lactee'. The first of these rarely exceeds 3ft(im) but has a wide-spreading habit to 7ft(2.25m) across with arching branches weighted down in June and July with saucer-shaped, white flowers with a pale pinkish-purple basal stain. It is deliciously scented of orange blossom. 'Belle Etoile' is rather more erect, less spreading than the last up to 6ft(2m) high with powerfully fragrant flowers in June and July. The individual flowers are shallowly funnel-shaped, creamy-white stained purple at the base. Even the bark is attractive, being a rich mahogany-brown and peeling to reveal the pale fawn new bark. 'Beauclerk', too, will reach 6ft(2m) and will expand likewise, its gracefully arching branches weighted down in June and July with an abundance of large, sweetly fragrant flowers up to 3in(8cm) across. These are saucer-shaped at first, later flattening and have an unusual square outline shared by few others. They are white with a pale pink basal flush. 'Voie Lactee' is perhaps the finest of the single white hybrids.