Aromas add life to garden

One of the more rewarding things about gardening is that it can be a feast for the nose as well as the eyes.

//

Fragrant plants and shrubs are popular with gardeners, and as plant specialist Mary Ann Woodworth, of Greenbrier Nursery in Evans points out, there are a few "Southern staples" that will fare well in nearly any garden.

"Gardenias are always a popular choice. They are available in a few varieties, including a dwarf, and there are even some that grow berries in the fall and winter," Woodworth said.

The shrub is well-known for its strong, sweet-smelling flowers. Aside from the fragrance, another thing that's nice about gardenias is that they will grow well in a part-shade environment.

Confederate jasmine does double duty - being pretty and smelling the part, too. "I've seen it pruned into different shapes, and it's great to grow across a fence," Woodworth said.

The vines grow white and yellow blooms, and are tolerant of partial sun, but grows well in full sun, too.

For a flower that likes to spread itself around, literally in scent and form, a clematis armandii is a good choice. "Just be sure to have a strong arbor to support it," Woodworth said. "It's also wonderful for pergolas and archways. It gives a light, almost cherry-like scent that smells great in the night air."

When the white blooms of the clematis armandii have faded, gardeners can still enjoy the green foliage which grows year-round.

A can't-miss option for a sweet smell to a garden is the rose.

"There are so many varieties, and when planting, remember that they thrive in full sun," Woodworth said. A particularly popular choice is the David Austin Rose.

"It's a hybrid rose with an old-fashioned look and is one of the more fragrant types available," she said.

Just know that the sweet smell of the rose comes at a price.

"Roses take a little more work than other plants," Woodworth said. "They are heavy feeders and require good air circulation to prevent disease problems."

To help take care of the delicate flower, Woodworth recommends using a time-released fertilizer when planting.

If you want to be sure that your fragrant plants don't pose a danger to your pets, then orchids are a great option. They are nonpoisonous to animals, according to the ASPCA.