As we head into May, flowers fill our Indiana landscapes with fragrances that draw us in, if just for a minute. The sense of smell is linked to some of our strongest memories, some we might never recall if not for the scent. Here are a few favorites worthy of our gardens:
Fragrant Viburnums
Judd’s viburnum’s fragrance perfumes the air. (C) Photo Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Spring blooming viburnum shrubs steal the show with their intoxicating spicy, sweet fragrance. Three regularly available varieties are Koreanspice (V. carlesii), ‘Burkwood’ (V. x burkwoodii) and ‘Judd’ (V. x juddii).
Not only do these hardy viburnums smell great, they exhibit beautiful fall color. The leaves take on red-wine tones. Between the fragrance and color, you’ve got a well-formed, nice size shrub with green or blue green leaves.
Burkwoods have glossy green leaves and tall, broad stance. Judd has blue-green leaves and a naturally rounded shape. Koreanspice also has a rounded shape and the leaves are green. Snip a few branches for indoor enjoyment.
Fragrant Dianthus
The frilly flowers of ‘Rainbow Loveliness’ draw you in with their fragrance. (C) Photo Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
From pinks to frills, dianthus is prized for its fragrance. Carnations are in the Dianthus plant family. There are others, however, that are reliable, easy to grow and so rewarding in their fragrance.
The hardy perennial Cheddar pinks (Dianthus gratianopolitanus) are named for the Cheddar region of England. Pinks refer to the edges of the flowers, which look like they’ve been trimmed with pinking shears. Many Cheddar pinks, such as ‘Bath’s Pink” are evergreen, holding their blue-green leaves through winter.
Heirloom frilly dianthus (D. hybrid) is making a bit of a comeback as a sturdy, fragrant hardy perennial that is easy to start from seed. Lacy, fringed flowers of pink, mauve, blue and off-white shades demand attention with their spicy fragrance, even though they are only about 12 inches tall. This perennial can be sown in spring for summer flowers. Varieties include ‘Lace Perfume’, ‘Rainbow Loveliness’ and ‘Ambrosia’. Grow in the ground or in a container.
Sweet William (D. barbatus) is another dianthus that smells wonderful. This biennial is a good companion for tulips, daffodils and other spring flowers. It, too, can be grown from seed and is sometimes available at garden centers. Where its name comes from is unknown, but it was first cited in a 1596 garden catalog.
Most dianthus are excellent, long-lasting cut flowers.
Fragrant Lilacs
The best fragrance comes from old-fashion lilacs in spring.
Talk about old-fashion flowers and plants, lilacs (Syringa spp.) are that and more. With their dramatic cone-shaped flowers, lilacs easily fill the garden with that unmistakable fragrance.
Varieties of these hardy shrubs come in several sizes, forms and flower color. If these beauties – frequently referred to as old-fashion lilacs – have a fault, it’s powdery mildew, a fungus disease that coats the leaves gray. This is usually an aesthetic problem, but if it concerns you, speak to your Holeman professional.
There are some varieties resistant to powdery mildew and bloom a bit later than old-fashion lilacs. Two popular ones are ‘Miss Kim’ and ‘Paliban’, each with a rounded form that rarely needs pruning. It is a good size for smaller urban and suburban landscapes. The flowers are fragrant but small and lack the intense blues and purples of their older sibs.
Proven Winners/ColorChoice Flowering Shrubs has introduced several varieties of dwarf, reblooming lilacs in different colors, marketed at Bloomerang.
If you’re looking at your landscape and not seeing any of these beauties, contact your Holeman professional for guidance. Then you can take a deep breath and enjoy the fragrance of the season.