Making a wonderful perennial garden that can be enjoyed season after season with no additional planting is on the minds of most gardeners. If a perennial garden is on your agenda, why not make it a fragrant one. Planting fragrant perennials by a porch or patio can have a lovely visual and aromatic impact. These perennials are both attractive for their flowers or foliage and are all very fragrant.
Absinthe
Absinthe, or Artemisia absinthium, is from the aster/daisy family and is a fragrant drought-tolerant perennial. It has silver gray foliage with bland yellow flowers. It grows 3 feet high and 2 feet wide in a clump form. Absinthe grows in full sun or partial shade with well-drained basic soil. It should be propagated by cuttings or root division. USDA hardiness zones for absinthe are 4 through 9.
Ginger Lily
Ginger lily, or Hedychium coronarium, is from the ginger family and is a fragrant fast-growing perennial that attracts butterflies. It grows up to 7 feet high with pointed leaves and clusters of white flowers that look like butterflies themselves. Seeds are red and appear after flowers fade. Grow a ginger lily in full sun or partial shade with rich soil. Propagate by root cuttings. It is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of 7b through 11.
Pink Evening Primrose
Pink evening primrose, or Oenothera speciosa, is from the evening primrose family and is a drought-tolerant hummingbird-attracting perennial. It grows up to 2 feet high with fragrant white flowers that age to pink. Leaves look like spoons. Plant a pink evening primrose in poor soil with full sun. Propagate by seed or by root division. It will be hardy in USDA hardiness zones of 5 through 9.
Butterfly Blue
Butterfly blue, or Scabiosa columbaria, is an easy-to-grow perennial that attracts butterflies. It is fragrant and grows 2 feet high and 3 feet wide. Leaves are gray-green and basal. Flower color depends on cultivar selected. Butterfly blue needs neutral well-drained soil and full sun conditions. Propagate by seed, division, or by cuttings. Butterfly bush is hardy in USDA hardiness zones of 4 through 10.
Bolivian Sunflower
The bolivian sunflower, or Tithonia diversifolia, is from the aster/daisy family and is a fast-growing butterfly attracting fragrant perennial. It grows up to 16 feet high with hair leaves and large yellow-orange ray flowers. It needs full sun and a well-drained soil. Propagate by stem cuttings or by seed. It will be hardy in USDA hardiness zones of 9 through 11.
Source:
Floridata
http://www.floridata.com
