Bush Identification help? A round bush as tall or taller than a person with small wooden-looking flowers

Question

...that grows in Virginia. I've only seen one and that was 40 plus years ago in my yard as a child. The small hard flowers look and feel like they were carved out of wood, they are a dark brown-rose or brownish purplish red color. My dad would pick a flower from the bush and tell me to hold it in my hand, then curl my hand around it and leave it a minute...when I would open my hand there would be an extremely sweet smell. Does anyone know the name of this bush?

Answer 1

Sounds like a Woodrose, was it in southern Virginia?  RScott

Answer 2

how about this one?...Sweet shrub....

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/550/

Answer 3

No Joni - but what a delightful memory!

If no one here can help you, try your local botanical garden or a gardening club... perhaps master gardeners?  That is if you still reside in Virginia!  If you remember the shape of the leaves that could prove helpful!

I wish you the best of luck!