Mid-Atlantic Gardening: Scented plants, only the nose knows!, 1 by Shirley1md

Shirley1md wrote:
Thanks Chris for your suggestion on where to find Lily, "Color Parade". I'll have to check around and see if it is carried at other nurseries. I find the prices at White Flower Farm to be very pricey. Guess they need to recoup after sending out their beautifully photographed catalog each year.

I totally agree with all of you about the Viburnums. I have several different varieties of them in my garden, they can grow fairly large, but their scent is worth it. Plus, they are so versatile and I love that they are a 3 season plant.

I love the fragrance of different Roses too, but growing them in the Mid-Atlantic can prove very challenging & time consuming due to our heat, humidity, fungal diseases & insects (especially Japanese beetles)!

Daphnes also grow in my garden. I have two big varieties of Daphnes which have grown for many years with total neglect on my part. One is "Carol Mackie" & the other is "Moonlight" (?), I think. They only get mulched once a year. I haven't even feed them! I'm the absent minded gardener! Does any one feed theirs? If so, what do you give them?

Philadelphus, Mock Orange also grows in my yard. Each year I threaten to have it removed. For easily 10+ years, it grew easily to 8ft with out any blossoms! I cut it back severely last year and guess what? It FINALLY put out a couple of flowers!!! I don't know if it was due to the pruning, it's age and/or my threats to have it removed! Stormyla, how do you get yours to flower?

My Clethra, "September Beauty" blooms each year, but I don't think the fragrance is anything special. I've had it for at least 18 years, but I specifically wanted a shrub that would give me late Summer blooms.....which is does.

My Bottle Brush Buckeye is planted in the back of my garden. It also thrives on total neglect, except for the yearly mulching. I cut it back each year to keep its size under control.

Several different varieties of Peonies grow in my garden. I have "Sarah Bernhardt", "Kansas" & "Festiva Maximum". I love the Peonies until they become ratty looking in late Summer & covered with mildew. Then I cut them to the ground, feed, mulch & they regrow the following year. The only problem with Peonies is that I won't bring them into the house because they are covered with ants. Their sweet aroma attracts ants to the Peonie's nectar. Peonies are wonderful outdoors, but NOT in the house!

Lots & lots of Daffodils, Hyacinths, Crocuses & Lilies all help to perfume my garden. Too many to count and over the years, many of them have lost their tags and have become nameless.