Chantell inspired me to open up an new thread, after all this is a New Year and a new gardening year is beginning, so post your favorites and lets start chatting.
My all time favorite is the Oriental Lilies they are showy and Oh, the scent!. I have had people passing by the garden and ask where is that wonderful smell coming from.
This is Color Parade.
Here is a shrub that blooms in the spring, it has a spicy scent the small flowers gives off a lot of scent that is carried by the spring breeze.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/74236/
Chris - what a gorgeous pic and the colors of that bloom...sooo pretty. How would you describe it's scent?
Oh mercy...ya'll get me started on this and there won't be any stopping me...which is why other then our MAT I'm always over on the Fragrant Gardening Forum - for those that didn't know about it: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/fragrant/all/
Started with my longtime love of lavenders...such a crisp yet relaxing scent...when my kids were little I'd spritz their pillows with lavender essential oil (mixed w/water) they STILL remember it and love the scent of lavender...including my son - not that he'd admit it...LOL They I discovered and rediscovered (I'd dug them up and tossed them not realizing they could be pruned....ahhh the ignorance of a VERY newbie gardener) rosemary...only need one of these (unlike the 5-6 varieties of the lavender)...so began the scent stalking....
Much like my C & S fascination...I felt compelled to find those plants I loved so much but that could actually survive our zone 7 lower winter temps. God love Glenn at Flower Scent Gardens - miss him greatly since he closed up last (?) year. Shooting Star Gardenia came on board...and thrived....OMG...I actually did NOT kill a Gardenia (big thank you to: God and Horseshoe http://davesgarden.com/members/Horseshoe/ - he IS the go to man for Gardenia "how to's")...then Kleim's Hardy and Chuck Hayes gardenias ALL IN the ground...whaaa whoooo!!! This past year 'Frostproof' was added as was a 'Mystery' (which may not be 'Mystery' and truly a mystery) - we'll see how they're doing come spring time. The scent when they're blooming....sheeerrrr heaven!!! Add to these babies a few hardy jasmines (won't discuss the NON-hardy one's in pots...eh Bec??? Ask if you want an opinion on the better scented tenders in this group)...then some 'Fragrant Cloud' Nicotiana (annual)...oh life was getting "gooder and gooder." A "special purchase" priced Persian Lilac at Walmart was added in the mix...such sweetly scented blooms in the spring. Then bring on those lilies (agree w/Chris...whoooo weeee)!!! This past year finally was able to add a Daphne (another heavenly scent) - by the way...want helpful guidance with these sometime temperamental plants...just ask our Debbie aka rcn48 - their nursery http://www.rickscustomnursery.com/ has incredible healthy plants...she also answered my gazillion questions regarding Viburnums - she's an unbelievable source of knowledge with these plants!!! Course then I discovered...Brugmansias as if my small collection of Plumerias (neither hardy) wasn't enough...LOL For those still awake...I'll stop here...many more I could add but...I don't think Chris as asking for the sequel to War and Peace....
Here's Kleim's hardy - avail thru Bluestone btw....
Chris: Love your "Color Parade" Lily! I haven't seen that one before.
Chantell: Your garden must be very fragrant and beautiful during various seasons. I definitely need to add some Gardenia's to my list. Are there any that you would recommend that are small (not above 3ft.) for a sunny front walkway? I also LOVE Virburnum. I have several different varieties of them, but my favorite is Korean Spice.
This is fun! I'm not that much guided by scent (yet) but love Moonflower, those scented Glads, both similar scent to Four o clocks. Agree Koreanspice Viburnum is great- too bad the bush isn't more graceful. Love and old red rose my mom has, but I stink at growing roses. I have never heard of clove currant
Also, bubby bush Carolina allspice, an old fave.Oh, another favorite scent, crabapple- do they smell like other apple blossoms?
and did enjoy the scent wafting in at night from my Daturas last summer.
I bought Color Parade several years ago from White Flower Farm, they seem to change the verities they carry from time to time.
Hard for me to describe the scent unless I have it right under my nose it think it is CRS syndrome, ha ha.
I need to get Korean Spice there is a Shorter form, Compacta, BlueStone carries it, I wonder how fast it will grow?
'Fragrant Cloud' Nicotiana didn't seem to have the scent like 'Only-the Lonely' Nicotiana.
Which brings me to a question that I have been looking for the answer to for a long time, does the soil or nutrients in the soil add to the fragrance or intensiveness of the fragrance?
If you are looking for a fragrant Hosta try HoneyBell, and the flowers are just the right height to stick your nose into.
This little guy also enjoyed the scent.
I haven't done much in the way of scented plants yet, but have been perusing the Fragrant Forum and getting inspired by Chantell's enthusiasm. Chantell, the fragrance in your gardens must be heavenly!!!
I did luck out unexpectedly with the 'Vivid Rose' peonies that I planted by the side door that is used as the primary entrance in/out of the house (funny how the front door is rarely used :-)) Anyway, I didn't realize that peonies were fragrant, so I was pleasantly surprised - the scent from these is absolutely wonderful!
terri,
And you look so lovely dancing among the peonies! (Sorry couldn't resist - getting slap happy here) Seriously, that's a nice display and a great photo.
Must go to BED!!!!
Smiles, Barb, over & out
Me too!!! I've been up since 5:00am this morning, but I'm still wide awake - I'll probably be dead tired tomorrow.. And that IS me dancing among the peonies, NOT!!! However, I often strike that pose when the mood takes me - especially when my mom wants nice family pictures - she's so glad that I've outgrown the pose where I tilt my head sidewise, wink one eye, and stick out my tongue to capture those special moments :-) I'm getting slap happy myself, time to call it a day...
Aspen, that is such a wonderful picture, you should submit that in the 2009 photo contest here on DG, put it in a special folder so you won't forget.
I love peonies, but the flowers don't last long enough for me to plant a lot of them. I do want to get a Festive Maxium, it is a very old one, my mom had one in her garden and it was huge, loved the scent and it was right at the garden gate so you could not miss it coming into the yard.
Last year I started Night Scented Stock seeds the plants were nothing to rave about, sort of sprawling and weedy looking and the flowers small with 4 petals, I planted them in with my hanging baskets on the deck and in the evening when you were near the backets the scent was great. I plan on growing them again but more of them and in larger amounts in the baskets.
Agree with Chris....what a beautiful photo, Aspen!!! Sadly the Peonies I had although finally bloomed profusely never carried much of a scent to my nose - I've heard such great things about some of them though!
And yes, Chris others have commented on scent being affected by such things as soil - humidity etc...so yes, there's something to be said for the variances in scents not to mention differences in personal tastes. Stock has a wonderful scent doesn't it? My DD (that worked at a florist) was the first to bring Stock to my attention - ahhhh love it, love it. Wish it was longer lasting...but sadly doesn't care for the heat summer brings here in the mid Atlantic area. You're right - not the "prettiest" of plants but oh that scent!! I've picked up some sweet pea seeds that I'm going to give my first shot of winter sowing with...wish me luck...LOL That's another annual that I've heard such good feedback on re scent.
Forgot to mention in my "War and Peace" response up there (thanks for everyone's patience while I ramble) the my newest found fragrance-to-love...the Sweet Olives!! Osmanthus fragrans 'Aurantiacus' http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/80799/ is said to be hardy to zone 7 even. The 'Fudingzhu' sadly is not but I've told they do fine in a pot. Below is a macro of its bloom....scent doesn't carry like gardenias and jasmines (at least not in my bathroom with limited blooms...LOL) but the scent is well worth it!!
My goodness, Chantell, this thread could start another addiction!!
My shrub beds along my front walk have 9 or 10 Daphnes that bloom in different seasons, all of which are fragrant. There are also 2 magnificent yellow brooms in these beds that need to be moved elsewhere as they keep growing too big and crowding the other shrubs. I'm thinking of replacing them with Gardenia Gandharaj "Chuck Hayes". http://www.rarefindnursery.com/index.cfm/action/productdetail/product_id/4241.htm
I posted the link from Rare Finds, but Lazy S'S Farm has it for less than half of Rare Find's price, but they don't show a photo. On the PF page, Wind has commented that she has two, but they were new to her.
My other two favorite fragrant shrubs are Philadelphus Mock Orange, which is planted just outside my back door and Clethra Hummingbird, which has white blooms and is a bee magnet. I just this fall planted a Bottle Brush Buckeye and am hoping it makes it through the winter. This summer I also added some pink and white Lilacs.
Lilies, oh my, I definitely went overboard here with Martagons, Species, Trumpets, Orientals and Orienpets. As I was planting them, probably almost 150 of them, I kept finding all of these little bulblets in the bags. I planted all of them in 3 large pots all mixed together.
My walk is now lined with Hyacinths, Crocus and Snowdrops. I added 5 heirloom fragrant Daffodil varieties into my large beds. I could go on and on with the bulbs as I added so many new types this year.
Ohhhh Stormy...all kinds of goodies YOU have!!! Daphnes?!?!? You'll need to share w/us your secrets to keeping those babies alive & where you get yours from. I can only imagine what that smells like when you have them blooming....ahhhh!!! I dont' think my Chuck Hayes has bloomed yet so I can't comment first hand...but I've never "met" a Gardenia i didn't like...LOL. I know someone else has the Chuck Hayes, I'll see if I can find my list. What would you compare the Mock orange to? I'm really hoping mine blooms this year!!!!
Goodness between the daphnes and those spring bulbs you're gonna have fragrance heaven!!!
Forgot about these: VIOLA odorata Queen Charlotte http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/VIQCS.html
This message was edited Jan 4, 2009 3:33 PM
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.
Shirley, I have "Carol Mackie", bought the little plant from Bluestone about 5 years ago. The only thing I do to the garden it is in is maybe a sprinkling of time released fertilizer and compost, when it was little, I put a small ring if hardware cloth around it to protect it from hungry rabbits, but I never seen any evidence of rabbits chewing on it.
It's a very lovely bush now.
Shirley, my apologies, I didn't answer your question regarding the gardenias and size...none of mine are mature so I'm not sure what size they'll be when they're "big girls"...LOL. My shooting star is the oldest (I got all of them 4" pot to 1 gal size) and she's probably about 3' tall now. The rest are all between 1 - 2'. So excited...went to do some "clean up" out back the the 'Frost Proof' is still looking good. I worried about that one b/c of how small she was when I rec'd her. Leaf wise (if any indication) the two w/the biggest would be Shooting Star and Mystery.
Chris: Daphne, "Carol Mackie" is definitely a beautifully flowering shrub! Thanks for your input about the time release fertilizer & compost. I know that Daphne's can be very finicky & tempermental, but yours is an absolute winner!
Chantell: No problem! Things can get buried & easily over looked in threads. Out of all your Gardenias, which is your favorite for fragrance & hardiness? Do you think they would do well in a full-sun (western side) location or is it to hot for them? Thanks in advance for your help!
!! Chris !! Just realized THAT was a daphne in your pic...OMG....I will be so excited if I can get mine to that size...I can only imagine what the fragrance must be when she's in bloom!!!
Shirley - unlike jasmines, I don't really notice a difference in their scents. I'm sure there is but it's not enough for my nose to detect. All of mine except Frost Proof (she apparently prefers part sun) are in my front yard (south facing). Out of the 4 in the front - 'Shooting Star' seems to have tolerated full sun the most. She's out there with nothing around her...where as the others appeared a tad unhappy with no shelter...Chuck Hayes being the worse. I fixed that by placing large potted plants (Brugs and Plumies) in front of them - or a bigger plant in the ground in front of them. This seemed to adjust their attitude a bit...LOL Wish I could remember who shared that great idea with me - sadly it's not something I'd think of myself...I'd be digging them up and relocating them...ugh!!!
Chantell, I think the Mock Orange smells like Honeysuckle.
Shirley, I planted 2 different varieties in 2 different locations 2 years ago. The one by my back door bloomed immediately and also bloomed profusely this year.The other one has not bloomed yet, but it is a much taller growing variety. It is also planted in more shade, which they are supposed to like. How much sun do yours get?
Chantell, When I first started growing Daphnes, more than 12 years ago, I had no knowledge of "Daphnecide". This is the first year I have ever lost one. I had a Horticulturalist look at the dead one, and he thought that the roots had been chewed. I've had other plants survive with much more root damage, but maybe Daphnes are very intolerent of root disturbance. I did move 4 this year and they seem to be doing fine.
Chantell, I've purchased Daphnes at local nurseries, Forest Farm, Lazy S'S, Rare Finds, and also from RCN. I've seen another source that looks good called Arrow something or other, I'll have to look for it.
Shirley, Most Daphnes are acid lovers. I give them time released Osmocote for Acid Lovers or the Espoma for Holly. Your other one might be Brigg's Moonlight. I have that one and love it. My 2 favorites are Daphne Cneorum and Carole Mackie, with Odora Marginata coming in third. Daphne Mezureum (February Dapne) is also great for it's winter bloom. Bowles White is a beautiful shrub. There are also some deciduous Daphnes. I only have 1 of those, with a trailing habit, and it is new this year. Daphne Cneorums bloom intermittently anytime throughout the year, with a spectacular long spring bloom
I forgot about Viburnums. Right now I have 2 blooming. They are both Bodnantense Dawn. They bloomed early this year, one started in late November. Usually they don't start until mid January. I planted some evergreen V. Prague this year, but they are babies.
Chantell, Do your Gardenias get any wind? Even my protected spots seem to get a fair amount of wind. Do you think Chuck Hayes can take late afternoon sun?
Most of my beds are semi or full shade. I have a dozen or so Peonies growing in semi shade. They are slightly fragrant. I wonder if sunlight affects the fragrance. The funny thing is that, for some time, I have been looking for some silver leaved semi shade plant that will grow to 3' tall. This year I realized that when the powdery mildew appears on the Peonies, I've got my wish!!
LOL - oh goodness - not good eh? As for wind...probably not much, though, since they're all in a fairly protected area. So funny talking about Gardenias - years ago I dubbed myself the Gardenia assassin.
That's too funny, Chantell. Just goes to show that with experience and modern science, we old dogs can learn new tricks!!!
Thanks Chantell. I'll have to check out Gardenia, "'Shooting Star". My back yard probably would be more advantageous to Gardenias because it will provide more shade, as well as, an eastern location.
Stormyla: My Mock Orange is along the southern side of my fence line and gets hot sun all day. It's way to big to try and transplant.
I'll be sure to feed my Daphne's acid fertilizer at the same time that I feed my Azaleas & Rhododendrons.
Any one grow Lilacs? Here is a picture of "Miss Kim", which only grows to about 5-6ft tall.
Persian Lilac http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/189165/
Oh, I used to have a huge lilac but it got ripped out two years ago. It did smell good. Now I'm waiting till a white lilac from hart gets big enough to bloom. It's about eight inches.
The first year I was here (3 years ago) I planted a Miss Kim and it bloomed for the first time last spring. 2 years ago, I planted a French lilac, President Lincoln, but it hasn't bloomed yet.
Last year, I planted a beautiful dwarf pink lilac which was blooming when planted. I also planted two tiny white lilacs.
Ohh Stormy...sounds beautiful...both to the eyes and nose!!!
Sally - I was so excited when cleaning up the back to see the lilac from Diane still looking good...I "lost" the first one she'd shared so this is a treat!!! Did you get your's this past swap or year before?
Shirley and Stormy, I also have 'Miss Kim'. I planted seven of them as a hedge along the walkway to the side door. I originally bought them as bare root twigs from a mail order place in Minnesota, but they sure have filled out over the years. With seven, the scent is sometimes over powering. I have another dwarf variety called 'Palibin' near the front door. It has a wonderful fragrance that I really like. It seems more delicate and sweeter than the fragrance from the 'Miss Kim' hedge.
This message was edited Jan 6, 2009 6:06 PM
This message was edited Jan 6, 2009 6:07 PM
Chantell: Persian Lilac is a beauty & must have a delightful aroma!
Sally: That's great that your Lilac cutting is still doing well & growing! Which variety is it? Do you know the ultimate size it will be?
Stormy: Your dwarf pink lilac sounds lovely. Do you know which variety it is?
Aspenthomas: What an absolutely beautiful hedge of Lilac's. Their fragrance must be intoxicating! Love your flagstone wall too! I'm not familiar with the dwarf variety called 'Palibin', but it's probably a lot newer than "Miss Kim".
Terrry, Your lilac hedge is lovely and I just love your peonies and self sculpture!!!!
On the day that I bought the pink lilac, there was no name on it at the nursery and I didn't have time to wait for them to get someone to look it up. I went back later and they didn't recall what I bought and there were no more, so now it's a mystery.
I saw in the DG Marketplace HappyHoller has a pretty yellow with burgundy throat Orienpet lily for sale called "Debbie", says it's very fragrant. The price is $4.35 per bulb.
I love this thread. I haven't been able to sleep, and had the best time writing down all the shrubs I need to add. Thank you all!
I also have a Miss Kim, Bought it from Bluestone and babied it in a gal nursery pot for a few years till I found a spot for it. Here she is planted to the right of the larger post on the outside of the fence. She has bloomed in the gal. pot hope she makes it in her permanent spot.
Chantell- I got that lilac from spring 2007 at hart's
Shirley- my white lilac is from hart- I'll dmail her and see what else she knows but I think it was one at her friend's place. And it is also suckering at this young age. I had a brick next to it to hold a wire cage, and a sprout has come up on the other side of the brick.
Started a thread with regard to favorite fragrant vendors/nurseries over here http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/941253/ - please weigh in w/your experience/opinions
Sally: Keeping my fingers crossed that your white Lilac keeps growing and will give you many blooms with a delightful fragrance. The fact that it's suckering means that it has a well developed root system and has been actively growing. Hopefully we'll get to see pictures of it in bloom next Spring.
Thanks Shirley- I hope so too but its only about a foot tall, two stems now (the original main bush)
The fragrant that I'm counting on is claypas Hosta which should be very happy where I put it.
For those ISO of hardy gardenias etc.: http://www.gawalternursery.com/hardy_exotics_list.htm I'd forgotten where I'd ordered my 'Frostproof' gardenia...just found the link.
Was checking my seeds and found T&M sent a complimentary package of Cowslip seeds http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1092/
Says they are fragrant, I'll try them for my first attempt at winter sowing.
Right now the only scent I'm picking up now is Banana Bread baking, almost done!
OMG...please butter a slice and dmail it to me...YUMMY
Sally, that lilac is from my yard. It was here when I bought the house but I think had been planted by the lady I bought from, so it's probably about 15 years old. It's maybe 5 feet tall now. It grows a lot slower than the old fashioned lilacs and never gets nearly as tall. I think the variety is Madame Lemoine but I don't know for certain. The one I had at my old house also never grew very tall and was a very slow grower.
Shirley, remind me in the spring and I'll see if I don't have some suckers on it I can dig for you. It has double white flowers and a wonderful scent, stronger than the old timey lilacs.
I also have a couple of old timey mock orange and one variety, I don't recall the name, that has huge flowers on it. All are extremely fragrant. They don't send up suckers but I'd be glad to bring some cuttings to the swap next spring if anyone wants to try and root them.
Lilacs, mock orange, lilies, peonies and tall phlox are my favorite fragrant plants.
I have a really old, French double Lilac bush. I never feed it or anything.....
It blooms reliably and OK every Spring--but has a lot of old stems that i am trying to remove at the base in order to rejuvenate the shrub.
It does not get all that much direct sun, as my huge Maple tree, and my neighbor's trees shade it from the sun. That may be one of the problems.....
WHAT should I fertilize it with? I know Lilacs like alkaline soil. I think it just needs a "shot in the arm" for more blooms....
How about Espoma "Plant Tone"? That is supposed to be good for general fertilizing. I use ALL the Espoma "Tones" for my garden...they are organic.
Here;s a picture from last Spring.....
