The Whistling Gardener

by Steve Smith

Steve Smith is owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville, located at 3915 Sunnyside Blvd., and a respected local expert on all things horticultural. You can reach Steve at 425-334-2002 or by e-mail at info@sunnysidenursery.net.

Fragrance, my friends. This article is about fragrance in the garden in the month of April. Despite this seemingly never-ending rain and cold, there are truly delightful plants out there that have wonderful fragrance that can lift our spirits and help get us through this hellish time we call spring in the northwest. Get out your pencil and pad and get ready to take some notes. Then head out to the garden center and buy some new plants. That alone always lifts my spirits.

TREES: Probably my favorite tree for this month is a Magnolia called Felix Jury. It is your typical saucer magnolia (sometimes called tulip tree) with a twist. The flowers are deep pink and intensely fragrant. It is easy to grow, disease- and insect-free and of reasonable size. Google it if you don't believe me!

SHRUBS: Daphne, of course, is the consummate fragrant shrub for us, and Winter Daphne is the default form most of us have tried at one time or another with mixed success. For an easy-to-grow variety that will tolerate full sun and blooms, not just in April but all summer, you can't miss with Eternal Fragrance or Summer Ice. Burkwood Viburnum is another bullet-proof shrub, as well as Korean Spice Viburnum, but I think Burkwood is easier to grow. Osmanthus burkwoodii and delavayi are both good smellers and evergreen and, best of all, they are hardy-as in no damage from the last three winters. Mexican Orange (Choisya ternata) also is evergreen and has fragrant white flowers in late April and does well in either full sun or part shade. All of the above flowers are either white or white with a bit of pink in them.

VINES: Evergreen Clematis has white fragrant flowers, usually in March, but this year they are blooming now if you can find any with flowers. The last three winters have been hard on this vine. Goldflame Honeysuckle has delicious pink with a yellow throat flowers that will bloom this month if the garden centers bring them in from California, which we have done because we know you are desperate for color and smell. (I know, we are evil.) Once established in your gardens, Goldflame will bloom in late May.

PERENNIALS: Wall flowers are an old standby for early blooms and fragrance. They come in warm colors of orange and yellow and several types that can be ground hugging or 12-14 inches tall. Bowles Mauve has attractive purple flowers and actually blooms all summer rather than just in the early spring. Wall flowers are a staple in jolly old England. Sweet Violets (Viola odorata) are another oldie but goodie, but there are actually several varieties of violas that have pleasantly perfumed flowers including one called Columbine (not to be confused with the perennial Columbine). True double English Primroses (not the new seed-grown varieties) bloom their little heads off this month and sometimes have a sweet scent on a warm day. Even without any scent they will lift your spirits when planted on the shady side of the house. Quaker's Bonnet is probably my favorite since I have a clump that has been established for 15-plus years.

BULBS: Hyacinths are probably the most fragrant bulb I can think of but, believe it or not, there are several flavors of daffodils (narcissus to be precise) that exude wonderful fragrance in late March and April. The trick with bulbs is that we need to plant them in the fall so we can enjoy them in the spring. Since April is Tulip Festival time in Skagit County, I suggest you travel up there and enjoy the sights. But don't wait until fall to buy your bulbs because you will forget what you like. Order them now from either the bulb farms in Skagit County or a garden center, and then all you will have to do come fall is pick them up and plant them. Trust me when I say this system is a whole lot easier.

So, like I have been saying all month, spring is happening whether we choose to participate or not. And in among those seasonal happenings are some wonderful plants that, simply by their fragrance, can lift our spirits and carry us into the real spring, whenever that might be. Get some fragrance in your garden and you will feel like a whole new person. Trust me, I'm a professional!



Steve Smith is owner of Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville and can be reached at 425-334-2002 or online at info@sunnysidenursery.net