I have the luxury of space (1.33 acres!) in my garden, but I often work with clients whose space is very limited. Making plant choices is difficult with so many great options, but there is one shrub I keep returning to, especially in early April, the invaluable Burkwood viburnum (Viburnum x burkwoodii) and its cultivar 'Mohawk' (pictured). I have 3 of these beautiful deciduous shrubs in my garden, in full sun, semi-shade, and dappled shade. All are thriving. Their early April dark-pink blooms open to white, and smell heavenly. They are well-behaved, with a medium growing rate, and can be pruned or shaped easily. My oldest is now about 8 x 8 feet, with little shaping, but you can also keep one smaller. It looks great as an anchor or in the shrub border. Fall color brings additional interest in shades of red or orange-yellow, and good form for winter. Oh, and it is highly deer-resistant. What more could a girl want?
In my opinion, these are superior in form, adaptability, and fall color to the Korean Spice viburnums which are often pushed by the nurseries. I wish this was a scratch-and-sniff post so you could decide for yourself!