| # | Common Name | Scientific Name | Type | Blooms | Environ | Comments | My Best Varieties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tea Olive or Sweet Olive | Osmanthus fragrans | Evergreen Shrub to 10’+ | Spring & Fall Fabulous | Sun to Part Shade | Bloomed Fall through to Spring 01/02; bloomed this winter until it went to 9 deg F. No maintenance. Moderate Water | Species |
| 2 | Winter Daphne | Daphne odora | Evergreen Shrub to 4’+ | Winter Wonderful | High shade | Requires perfect drainage & dry conditions. No maintenance. | ‘Alba’, ‘Marginata’ |
| 3 | Bourbon Rose | Hybrid of R. chinensis and autumn damask | Stems to 20′, must tie. | Spring Spectacular | Sun | Plant is solid pink in spring; scattered blooms all summer. No thorns. Drawbacks: Mildew. & long canes | ‘Zepherin Droughin’ |
| 4 | Cheddar Pink | Dianthus gratianopolitanus | Evergreen Groundcover to 4″ | Spring Spicy | Sun | My neighbors covet this one. Well behaved. Powerful fragrance. | ‘Bath’s Pink’, just added some ‘Fire Witch’ |
| 5 | Viburnum | V. burkwoodii & V. hybrid | Semi-evergreen Shrub | Spring Light Pink | Sun to Part Shade | The buds are a bright, pretty pink. No maintenance. | ‘Mohawk’ to 7′, ‘Eskimo’ to 5′ |
| 6 | Carolina Jessamine | Gelsemium sempervirens | Evergreen Vine to 20′ | Spring Yellow | Sun | By my porch swing. A little messy with so many blooms, but worth it. All parts are poisonous. | Species |
| 7 | Fragrant Hosta or Plaintain Lily | Hosta plantaginea hybrid | Perennial to 3′ | Late Summer White or Pale Pink/Purple | Shade to part sun | Moving to patio this winter, replacing my old 4′ Diameter “traditional” hostas. Beautiful leaves AND fragrance. | ‘Guacamole’ Now trying ‘Fried Green Tomatoes’, ‘Iron Gate Delight’ and many others… |
| 8 | Dwarf Gardenia | Gardenia jasminoides | Evergreen Shrub to 2′ | Summer | Sun to Part Shade | Bloomed all summer 02. Occasional trimming. No maintenance | ‘Radicans’ (protect from cold) |
| 9 | Heirloom Daffodil | Narcissus odurus | Perennial to 12″ | Spring | Sun to Part Shade | A “rescue’ from an old home site. Hardy and prolific. | A “double”, yellow-green, opens poorly, either ”Campernelle’ or maybe N. jonquilla ‘Queen Anne’ |
| 10 | Asiatic Lily | Don’t know – a hybrid | Perennial to 4′ | Spring | Part sun | Most powerful fragrance of all. But, don’t put your nose in it! | ‘Muscadet’ |
| 11 | Southernwood, Old Man | Artemisia abrotanum | Perennial to 5′ | Scented Leaves | Sun to Part Shade | Reseeds; but easy to control. Many uses through the centuries. | Species |
| 12 | Thyme | Thymus vulgarus | Evergreen Groundcover to 4″ | Scented Leaves | Sun to Part Shade | Really tough. Occasional trimming. | – |
| 13 | Autumn Sage | Salvia greggii | Perennial to 3′ | Scented Leaves | Sun | Bright red flowers all summer. Thrives on neglect; needs a dry spot. I trim the dead out once a year. | Species |
| 14 | Dwarf Wax Myrtle | Myrica cerifera | Evergreen Shrub to 7′ | Scented Leaves | Sun to Part Shade | Planted by my hammock. Mine is in full shade, needs more sun. | ‘Fairfax’ |
| 15 | Himalayan Sweet Box | Sarcococca hookerana humilis | Evergreen Shrub to 1.5′ (mine are 3–4′) | Late Winter | Part to Full Shade | Usually blooms at the same time as a nearby daphne, losing out with a lighter scent. Earlier this year. | Species |
| 16 | Native Azalea or native honeysuckle | Rhododendren austrinum, canescens, flammeum, etc | Deciduous Shrub to 10′ | Early spring | High shade to part sun | “Store bought” or “Native Rescue”, these are delightful and tough plants. Wonderful fragrance | Florida’, native hybrids |
These plants all thrive at my home in West Marietta. Terry Barton. 2002 Master Gardener
(770) 424-1548
There are many, many other wonderful, fragrant plants. Try them all! [email protected]