The delicately coloured flowers of this quince appear on bare stems in spring and continue blooming profusely for many weeks well after the leaves emerge. These have a red tinge when young and become shiny green.

April is one of the most floriferous times in the Gardens with gorgeous camellias, magnolias, cherries and rhododendrons coming into blossom, but added to their beauty is a quietly elegant shrub that possibly goes unnoticed most of the year.

The Gardens are full of wonderful blooms at this time of year, but one unusual plant that stands out, particularly because it comes from the Mediterranean climate region of South Africa, is the Melianthus major.

In April, when there are so many beautiful blossoms in the Gardens, from the magnolias, cherries, rhododendrons and camellias, one can be forgiven for missing this rather odd, but pretty Chilean vine clambering up the north wall of the Pavilions.

One can be forgiven for passing by these small trees, as you exit the Gardens down the path towards Thompson Road, without a glance. Only at this time of year, and particularly on a warm spring day, will you wonder what the beautiful smell in the air is.