Shrub ID

gorsegully, Nov 6, 1:14am
Hi folks sorry don't have photos, this shrub is approx 2.5m high by 3m wide multi-stemmed and deciduous. The leaves are almost identical to flowering current but the flowers are flat and white ( look like cornus at a distance ) but have 5 petals and approx 2 inches diameter. I have looked in all my books but can't find anything like it ?

maclad, Nov 6, 2:17am
Wild guess, maybe a Viburnum

kateley, Nov 6, 2:34am
my guess is philadelphus - is there a prize?

piquant, Nov 6, 2:44am
That's a pretty difficult task - given that some cornus have the four bracts and others have flat topped cymes (like elderflower). maclad chose viburnum as a wild guess - right with the foliage on some but I don't know of any with 5 petals and the flowers 2 inches across. Likewise the flowers could be something like Cistus Bennetts White - but the foliage isn't right. Is it flowering now? Is there any possibility of a pic? or was it 200 miles away and you were travelling at 100km when you saw it? ! Whereabouts in the country was it - could be a bearing? Otherwise I think we'll all waste a lot of time here.

rose-murray, Nov 6, 2:49am

piquant, Nov 6, 6:33am
I had another thought - but the foliage isn't really right - Exochorda x macrantha "The Bride"

maclad, Nov 6, 6:48am
A pic is always best, answers a lot of possibles

wasgonna, Nov 6, 7:02am
Didn't you read the first few words on the first line of the original message?

piquant, Nov 6, 8:03am
Yes, of course we did. Just saying it's a pretty impossible task without a pic - that's all.

maclad, Nov 6, 4:52pm
Naturally I did, I'm not stupid. Was just trying to say it makes ID much harder when there is no picture.

gorsegully, Nov 6, 8:11pm
This is in a friends garden outskirts of Dunedin. It is flowering now. I will try to borrow camera for pic.
I appreciate all your efforts, but doesn't look like suggestions so far match.
Thanks

woody89, Nov 6, 10:08pm
https://trademe.tmcdn.co.nz/photoserver/full/671408077.jpg

Anything like this op? Incidentally can anyone tell me the name of this gorgeously scented beauty? TIA

harrislucinda, Nov 6, 10:24pm
got that one lovely but cant tell you the name I buy plants but never keep their name

bluecat5, Nov 6, 10:34pm
Re OP's question. Could it be Cistus Bennett's White?

piquant, Nov 6, 11:50pm
It's Philadelphus. (Mock Orange Blossom) Buy yourself a box and put all your labels in it - you never know when you'll need them!

piquant, Feb 19, 2:04pm
Sorry, posted to the wrong person (sort of!) It's Philadelphus. Commonly known as Mock Orange Blossom. If you like this then try finding one called "Frosty Morn" It's later blooming than this one, double and pure white as opposed to slightly cream. Stunning.