Homeless in Vancouver: Fairview alleys smell a bit…wonderful this spring

Hats off to all the property owners in Fairview who, over the years, have planted a particular spring-flowering shrub all over the neighbourhood.

Both chokecherry (prunus virginiana) and Japanese pepperbush (clethra barbinervis) look very similar.

But the leaves of these two shrubs appear to be wider in the former and serrated in the latter.

The shrub that I’m referring to has long glossy, smooth-sided, spear pointed, leaves and at this time of year it is thick with long white blossoms packed with delicate little flowers—flowers that are fragrant as heck!

Thanks to these prolific flowering shrubs, along with all the magnolia and cherry blossom trees, the back alleys of Fairview look and smell absolutely delightful in April!

Trust me, this will not be the case come the dog days of July and August, so take lots of long deep breaths now and enjoy it while it lasts.