Luculia intermedia is a medium density, half-hardy, evergreen shrub or small tree with broad, oval leaves that are soft and downy underneath.
Umbels of wonderfully fragrant, soft pink, tubular shaped flowers appear in large clusters (not unlike Viburnums or Phlox) in autumn and winter.
Not widely cultivated, this is one of the most underrated plants that really should be as popular as its very close relative, the Gardenia.
It is quite hardy and most importantly brings colour and fragrance in later autumn and winter.