Viburnum Carlesii is a favorite but can be overpowering at it's
peak of bloom. Fothergilla has a light licorice scent and white
fringetree is pleasantly light-scented as well. Daphne mezereum
is one of the earliest fragrant bloomers. Daphne xburkwoodii
"Carol Mackie" and D. caucasica are also nice. Daphne transatlantica is one that flowers mainly in spring but continues to bloom sporadically through the summer. Just remember that
some daphnes are poisonous to humans and pets. Miss Kim
Manchurian lilac is also a favorite.
Favorite Fragrant Plants
Which fringe - the American or Chinese?
I have both Chionanthus - both are lightly fragrant - very subtle.
Harper - it is from T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, a poem i have spent waay too much time with.
Chionanthus virginicus - American Fringetree is the one I have.
It's nice while it's in bloom but it seems like we always get a heat
wave that bakes the delicate flowers and ends the bloom time prematurely. It's an interesting species for the size of the foliage and the bark texture, as well as the twisting, spreading habit of the branches.
I planted a Fringetree last year but can't remember which one it is! I love the look.