Focus on Flowers.
Fall is a good time to plant shrubs. If you are eager to have more perfume in your garden there are many shrubs from which you may like to choose.
The general rule when buying a plant for its perfume is to select it when it is blooming so that you can be sure to smell it before the purchase is made. If this idea appeals to you, wait until next year to select and purchase your spring-blooming shrubs.
For example, mock orange is available with both single and double white blossoms, and their scent is lovely in the fresh spring air.
Viburnum Carlesii is another fragrant spring bloomer, and Daphne ‘Carol Mackie’ with striking bi-color foliage is another scented spring-blooming favorite. Though I must admit that I planted a number of daphnes before one finally survived in my Zone 5/6 garden. The trick seems to be where one sites these beauties…..part sun/part shade in a protected location.
One also cannot overlook lilacs for scenting the late spring garden and there are even a few azaleas with sweet perfume.
For later season bloom, summer-flowering Itea and Clethra, as well as Carolina allspice, are excellent choices too.
And don’t forget the scented subshrubs such as lavender and sage that have a woody base but top growth resembling perennials.
