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GARDEN PLANS

Fragrant
Garden 2

THE FRAGRANCES IN THIS FUN-TO-CREATE GARDEN


ARE SURE TO FILL YOUR YARD AND HOME WITH
TEMPTING AROMAS.
Fill the beds with scented annuals, hardy herbs, scented-leaf geraniums, and sweet-
smelling bulbs. Back them with perfumed shrubs, and deck the fence or arbor
with sweet peas and roses such as the Red Shrub Rose, the Climbing Rose, and
miniature roses. Add color to your fragrance by planting witch hazel, honeysuckle,
and Korean lilacs.

Copyright Meredith Corporation W W W. B H G.CO M /G A R D E N P L A N S • F R AG R A N T G A R D E N 2 • 1


Fragrant Garden 2

PLANT LIST

A Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) (2) B Witch Hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) (1)
Zones 6-9. Shrub. Multistemmed plant that may die to ground in Zones 4-8. Shrub. Yellow ribbonlike flowers in very early spring, yellow
northern areas, fragrant flower spikes of pink, white, or purple in late fall color, open, upright form. Up to 15’ tall.
summer. Up to 10’ tall. A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T Brilliant Red Chokeberry (Aronia x prunifolia
Sweetshrub (Calcyanthus floridus) ‘Brilliantissima’)
Zones 5-9. Shrub. Brownish red spicy-scented flowers. Up to 8’ tall. Zones 5-9. Shrub. Upright form, white flowers in spring, red fruit into
winter, bright red fall color. Up to 10’ tall.

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PLANT LIST CONTINUED Fragrant Garden 2

C Honeysuckle (Lonicera ‘Emerald Mound’) (1) K Bearded Iris (Iris germanica) (6)
Zones 3-6. Shrub. Compact shrub, yellow flowers, red fruit. 2’-3’ tall. Zones 3-9. Perennial. Old-time favorite spring bloomer, well-drained soil
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
preferred, many colors. 2’-3’ tall, depending on variety.
Daphne (Daphne x burkwoodii ‘Carol Mackie’) A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Zones 5-8. Shrub. Fragrant pink blooms in spring, variegated foliage. Daylily (Hemerocallis ‘Gentle Sheperd’)
2’-3’ tall. Zones 3-9. Perennial. Early to mid-summer blooms, nearly white, and
fragrant. 26" tall.
D Dwarf Korean Lilac (Syringa meyeri ‘Palabin’) (1)
Zones 4-7. Shrub. Dwarf variety, pale lilac flowers. 5’-6’ tall. L Lavender (Lavendula augustifolia ‘Munstead’) (9)
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Zones 5-8. Perennial. Fragrant lavender-blue flower spikes most of
Korean Spice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) summer, gray foliage. 3’ tall.
Zones 5-8. Shrub. Pink buds open to white flowers, reddish fall color. A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
6’ tall. Dwarf Beebalm (Monarda ‘Petite Delight’)
Zones 4-8. Perennial. Lavender-rose flowers in late summer. 15"-24" tall.
E Lilac (Syringa ‘Minuet’) (1)
Zones 2-7. Shrub. Light lavender blooms in spring, dark green leaves. M Oriental Lily (Lilium) (24)
6’-8’ tall. Zones 4-8. Perennial. Hardy bulbs in many colors. 2’-4’ tall.
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Orange Mock (Philadelphus x virginalis ‘Minnesota N Beebalm (Monarda didyma) (3)
Snowflake’) Zones 4-9. Perennial. Aromatic foliage, late summer blooms, choose
Zones 3-7. Shrub. White, sweetly scented double flowers in early mildew-resistant varieties such as ‘Colrain Red,’ ‘Raspberry Wine,’ or
summer, arching branches. 8’ tall. ‘Jacob Kline.’ 36" tall.
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
F Red Shrub Rose (1) Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Zones 3-8. Shrub. Fragrant red blooms. 4’-6’ tall, depending on variety. Zones 6-9. Perennial. Lavender-blue flowers spikes, silvery foliage.
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
30" tall.
Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)
Zones 3-9. Shrub. Late summer blooms smell like vanilla, white. 8’ tall. O Catmint (Nepeta ‘Blue Wonder’) (10)
Zones 4-8. Perennial. Fragrant gray-green foliage, lavender-blue flowers
G Lady Banks Rose (Rosa banksiae ‘Lutea’) (1) much of summer. 12"-15" tall.
Zones 8-9. Shrub. Climbing rose. Fragrant yellow flowers. 20’ tall. A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T

A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Silverwood (Artemisia schmidtiana)
Rosa (‘Ilse Krohn Superior’) Zones 5-8. Shrub. Fragrant, white Zones 5-8. Perennial. Ferny silver foliage. 12" tall.
blooms in large clusters.
P Peony (Paeonia) (3)
H Miniature Rose (2) Zones 3-8. Perennial. A white variety works well in this design. Try ‘A la
Zones 5-9. Shrub. Diverse group of small rose bushes. Usually 6"-18" tall. mode.’ 34" tall.
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Littleleaf Boxwood (Buxus microphylla ‘Wintergreen’) Yarrow (Achillea ‘Appleblossom’)
Zones 5-9. Shrub. Fragrant but not showy flowers in April, bright green Zones 4-8. Perennial. Lilac pink flowers, upright form, ferny fragrant
foliage turns coppery in winter. 2’ tall. foliage. 24"-36" tall.

I Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis ternifolia) (1) Q Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata) (11)
Zones 4-9. Vine. Clusters of fragrant white flowers in late summer to fall. Zones 4-8. Perennial. Try a white or pink variety in this garden. ‘David’ is
15’-20’ tall. pure white and fragrant, and blooms late in summer. 42" tall. ‘Eva Cullum’
is an improved pink variety with a dark red eye. 30" tall.
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Fiveleaf Akebia (Akebia quinata)
Zones 5-8. Vine. Vigorous vine with fragrant wine red flowers. 30’ tall. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Zones 3-9. Perennial. Rose petals with a prominent cone center.
J Dianthus (Dianthus ‘Bath’s Pink’) (18) Up to 5’ tall.
Zones 4-9. Perennial. Pink fragrant blooms in early summer. 10" tall.
R Sage (Salvia x sylvestris ‘May Night’) (6)
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T Zones 5-9. Perennial. Indigo blue flower spikes in midsummer. 28" tall.
Sundrops (Oenothera speciosa ‘Siskiyou’)
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Zones 5-8. Perennial. Rose-pink flowers, spreads readily. 10" tall.
Speedwell (Veronica ‘Sunny Border Blue’)
Zone 4-8. Perennial. Violet blue spikes, mid to late summer. 18"-20" tall.

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PLANT LIST CONTINUED Fragrant Garden 2

S Dark Eye Gladixia (Acidanthera bicolor)


Zone 3-9. Annual. White flower spikes with dark centers. 18" tall.
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) Annual. White. 18" tall.

T Freesia (Freesia) (1)


Zones 10-11. Perennial. Tubular-shaped flowers in yellow, white, and rose.
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Wax Begonia (Begonia semperflorens)
Many-colored annual. 8"-12" tall.

U Tuberose (Polianthus tuberosa)


Zones 10-11. Perennial. White fragrant flowers on 30" stems, late
in summer.
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
White Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Zones 4-9. Perennial. Double white flowers, fine serrated foliage.
18"-24" tall.

V Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) (10)


Annual. Delicate white, pink, or purple fragrant flowers. 2"-12" tall.
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Basket of Gold (Aurina saxitalis)
Zones 4-8. Annual. Bright yellow in spring, gray foliage. 8" tall.

W Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) (10)


Annual. Old-fashioned climber, many colors. Up to 6’ tall.
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Clematis (Clematis integrifolia)
Zones 3-7. Perennial. Fragrant blue bells with yellow centers. 24" tall.

X Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana alata) (3-5)


Annual. Fragrant white, tube-shaped flowers. Up to 5’ tall, depending on
the cultivar.

Y Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) (2)


Zones 4-9. Perennial. Fragrant dark green foliage. 18" tall.
A LT E R N AT I V E P L A N T
Purple Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Annual. Dark purple foliage. 12"-24" tall.

W W W. B H G.CO M /G A R D E N P L A N S • F R AG R A N T G A R D E N 2 • 4
I N S TA L L I N G YO U R P R E - D E S I G N E D G A R D E N

Before You Begin. Preparation is the key to creating a garden that will Edging. Most beds are easier to maintain if they have an edging that
offer a lifetime of pleasure. Before you head to the nursery or lift a spade, keeps surrounding grass or vegetation from invading. Choose plastic,
take the time to review all garden plan materials. Ask yourself the follow- metal, stone, or brick -- whatever you prefer. If you have lawn around your
ing questions: bed, consider also including a mowing strip, a 6- to 12-inch-wide swath of
masonry or stone set even with the surrounding soil.
• Do I have a suitable location for this plan? The layout diagram shows
the dimensions for the plan as designed. In general, you can enlarge or Planting. Now comes the fun part! If you have all of your plants on
reduce the size of the garden by adding or eliminating plants, although hand, keep them in their pots and set them out on the planting bed. This
the character of the garden may change if you alter the size dramatical- will give you a preview of how the bed will look and allow you to make
ly. adjustments. Use the tags that come with the plants to ensure that the
• Does my yard offer the right conditions? Check the plant list carefully spacing is correct. Don't worry that the bed looks sparse; the young
to see whether the plan will do best in full sun, partial shade, or full plants need room to grow.
shade. Also make sure that the plants are suited to your USDA
Growing Zone. (In many cases, the alternative plants list includes vari- When you're satisfied with the arrangement, plant your garden from
eties that will grow in other zones.) largest to smallest container (usually trees first, then shrubs, perennials,
• Does my soil need improvement? Most plants will survive in a variety and finally annuals). Each plant type does best with a specific planting
of soil conditions, but well-drained, moist (but not soaked) soil is gener- method:
ally best. To test your soil, wet it thoroughly with a hose, wait 24 hours,
then squeeze a clump in your hand. If the soil forms a ball that holds • Trees. Dig a hole that is slightly larger than the pot or root ball and
together, but breaks up easily when you poke it with your finger, your deep enough so the top of the root ball or pot is slightly higher than the
soil is ideal. If the soil won't hold its shape when squeezed, it is probably surrounding soil. For potted trees, remove the tree from the pot, loosen
too sandy. If the clump doesn't break up easily, the soil may be too clay. the soil slightly around the roots, then place the tree into the planting
In either case, you can improve your soil by mixing in organic matter hole. For balled-and-burlapped trees, loosen the burlap after the tree is
like compost or peat moss. in the hole, cutting away as much of the burlap as possible. When the
• Is my soil's pH and fertility okay? Check at your local garden store for tree is in place and straight, fill the hole one-third with soil, tamp firmly
a soil test kit, or inquire about testing at a local county extension service to make good contact between roots and soil, then water. Repeat twice
office. Follow the recommendations that come with your test results if more until the hole is filled. Make a shallow collar of soil around the
you need to correct the soil's pH (how acid or alkaline the soil is) or hole to catch water and hold it near the root zone. Water the tree thor-
fertility. oughly by letting a hose run slowly for 30 minutes.
• Shrubs. Plant shrubs in a hole that's about twice the diameter of the
Creating the Bed. To lay out your bed, use a garden hose to mark the root ball. The top of the root ball should be slightly above the surround-
edges. When you are satisfied with the layout, use striping paint (available ing soil level. Backfill with garden soil, tamping firmly to ensure a con-
at many home centers) to mark the outline. (Or, sprinkle flour along the tact between soil and roots. Water immediately by slowly running a
hose for a more temporary mark.). Using a sharp spade, dig along the hose at the shrub's base for about 20 minutes.
marked line to set the edge of your bed. • Perennials and Annuals. Set these plants in soil at the same level they
were growing in the pot. Firm the soil around each plant with your
If the garden location is currently covered with lawn, you have a couple of hands, then water thoroughly.
options. For smaller areas, you can strip the sod using a straight-edged
shovel. To make this easier, wet the area thoroughly, then use the shovel to Mulching. As you place each plant, it's a good idea to add mulch to
cut the lawn into strips that are the width of the shovel and about three conserve moisture, cool the roots of plants, and protect the soil from
feet long. (Expert tip: Sharpen the edge of the shovel frequently with a washing away in the rain. Organic mulches like shredded bark will require
file.) Use the shovel to pry up and roll back the strips of sod. Once the periodic additions as the mulch decays. Mulches like crushed stone are
sod is removed, you can loosen the underlying soil with a shovel or a more permanent, but may not offer the character you prefer.
power tiller.
Aftercare. The first season of growth is the most critical for your gar-
For larger areas covered by lawn, consider using a heavy-duty garden den. A good guideline is to water thoroughly every other day for the first
tiller to grind the sod into the underlying soil. This has the twin benefits of two weeks, then twice weekly for the remainder of the first season. The
adding organic matter to the soil and eliminating the need to discard or following year, you can let nature take its course, supplementing dry peri-
compost sod. ods with deep watering.

Regardless of how you are preparing your bed, be sure to use this oppor- You should also be diligent about weeding your bed during the first year.
tunity to mix in organic matter (such as compost, peat moss, or rotted As the plants mature and fill in, there will be fewer opportunities for weeds
manure) and loosen the soil at least 6 inches deep, or even 8 to 12 inches to gain a foothold. A thick layer of mulch will also help keep weeds in
if you can. Don't mix in fertilizer unless your soil test shows a need; in gen- check.
eral, excessive amounts of fertilizer will do more harm than good.
Ongoing Maintenance. Most plants will thrive with only minimal care.
After your bed is prepared, water it thoroughly and wait a week. This will Apply a general fertilizer according to package directions in the spring
allow some weed seeds to germinate. Remove these seedlings or dig after growth has started. If you need to prune trees or shrubs to maintain
them back into the soil. If you choose to use chemicals to kill the weeds, their shape or size, do it in late winter before growth has started. The
follow the instructions to the letter, including the time to wait after applica- exception to this general rule is spring-flowering shrubs like lilacs that
tion before planting. should be pruned immediately after flowering.

W W W. B H G.CO M /G A R D E N P L A N S

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