Just checking these forums again today and thought I should clarify that the effect I was referring to was the UV sensitization. The phytophotodermatitis can leave visible marks for weeks, months, and even years in extreme cases. I had a small burn on my hand that was probably caused by this plant and it remained darkly pigmented for about 6 months.

Hi njtea, You had me going there for a minute with the photo of the cornelian cherry (cornus mas). But after looking at more photos of it (the fruit gave it away) I remembered that we had a couple of bushes in front of our old townhouse. It's definitely a spicebush. I just bought several bareroot plants because I liked the look of it so much. I haven't seen very many at all around the neighhood or neighboring towns but the Princeton U. campus has several nice specimens in full bloom. Apparently they come in several shades of yellow. Mostly the ones I've seen are a rich gold but there's one bush in Princeton that's a lighter yellow-green which is more to my liking but they are all quite striking and beautiful especially when there's not much else blooming this early. I also noticed that the magnolias on campus were just about ready to bloom and some of the stellas had actually opened a blossom or two. Our witchhazels are past bloom, I too love the scent but the winterhazel is starting to bloom now with it's long drupe of flowers. Thanks for suggesting the cornus mas

In august you can dig up the Iris and clean up that bed removing the roots of this plant that have infiltrated that bed.

Yes, fragrant enough to commonly be referred to as Japanese mock orange.