Fragrance

August 31, 2021

Fragrance

Sequencing flowering shrubs and perennials that bloom from spring through fall, fragrant plants can also be chosen to delight our sense of smell over the same period. Place the earlier fragrant specimens near the house so you can fully appreciate them inside and outside your living space.

SPRING

Spring flowering bulbs like Puschkinia, Hyacinths, Daffodils, and Narcissus are a fresh welcome after winter.
The perennial Lily of the Valley is distinctive with its old-fashioned fragrance as well as the Siberian Wallflower with its bright yellow or orange flowers.
Annual, large-faced Pansies planted in pots or garden beds are also revitalizing.
The shrub, Dwarf Fragrant Viburnum, begins its performance in April and is followed in May by Burkwood and Fragrant Snowball Viburnum. These three varieties are all strongly scented and make a huge impact.
Rose Daphne, a broadleaf evergreen, is equally impressive especially considering its overall small scale.
Lilacs bloom in spring and early summer with a strong fragrance.
The vigorous vine, Wisteria, has massive knockout flowers with a lovely, light scent.
The Carol Mackie Daphne is also worthy of inclusion for its small variegated leaves in green and creamy white.
In June, there are many fragrant plants that will capture your attention. Think of annual Sweet Peas or perennial Peonies that are sumptuously scented both outdoors and in as a cut flower.
Roses dazzle with their variety and colour but they are not all fragrant so read the tags carefully. Some noteworthy scented roses include Sightsaver, Mr. Lincoln, and Double Delight. Consider the climbers; America or the red Don Juan.
All of the David Austin roses were developed specifically for fragrance and disease resistance.
Two outstanding trees that are surprisingly and delightfully scented are Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac Tree (introduced by Sheridan Nurseries in 1973) and Linden.
The Hall’s Honeysuckle vine starts flowering in June and continues into October with creamy-white and yellow, sweetly fragrant blossoms.
The flowering shrub, Mock-orange, is also identified with June. Varieties and Miniature Snowflake are your best choices for fragrance.

SUMMER

White Alyssum
Deep purple Heliotrope
Pastel-coloured Night Scented Stocks
The summer-flowering bulb, Gladiola acidanthera, deserves wider cultivation for its very fragrant white, star-shaped flowers with maroon throat and grassy foliage. These bulbs can easily be planted anywhere in the sun during spring. They are adaptable to container planting so their heady scent can be near you on your deck or patio.
Asiatic Lily and Summer Phlox are two perennials that draw your attention as the days get hotter.
Several varieties of Hosta including Honeybells and Royal Standard boast fragrant blooms above bold foliage.
The shrub Summersweet, flowers and attracts us with its scent in late July
Butterflybush takes the stage in August.
Scented Geranium, Citronella, Lavender, Mint, Rosemary, and Thyme release a lovely fragrance.

FALL

Chrysanthemums are synonymous with fall and have a fragrance uniquely their own. Choose whatever you like for your fragrant garden and add another dimension that provokes questions, wonder, and nostalgia.

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