Fragrant flowers of Kentucky
Mary Jo Asked
What would be the most fragrant flowers to plant for all months of summer to enjoy?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi, Mary Jo: When we think of a garden, we usually think of it in terms of aesthetics and how it looks. Fragrance can be just as impactful and another way to enjoy the garden. Annual options for fragrant flowers/foliage include petunias, marigolds, and geraniums. Tropicals such as gardenia and jasmine are highly fragrant. Herbs are great way to incorporate scent. Lavender, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and lemon balm are all worth planting. Some are perennial so they can be enjoyed from year to year. Roses, clethra, fothergilla, calycanthus (sweetshrub/Carolina allspice), lilac, butterfly bush, fringe tree, Korean spice Viburnum and Southern Magnolia all provide fragrance. Carolina jessamine, native honeysuckle and wisteria are vine options. They all have different growing requirements. Each fall, I like to add a few more hyacinth and daffodil bulbs to the garden. Their scent is a welcome treat after the winter months. It reminds me of my childhood and indicates the growing season has started. I hope this gives you some ideas.
Angie Oakley
Kentucky Living-Ask the Gardener
