Fragrant Annuals

Annual plants fill-in the “flower gap” in your perennial garden and there are a many beautiful annuals your can choose, but below are some of the most fragrant!

Stocks (Matthiola incana)stocks_matthiola_incana_-photo-by-protoplasmakid.jpg
Height:  1-3 ft
Bloom Time: May-July
Flower Colors Available in:  Blue, White, Pink, Yellow, Red
Exposure: Full Sun-Part Shade
Attributes: Dense Showy clusters of cove-scented flowers, Deer Tolerant
Uses: Border gardens, Containers, Moon Garden (white flowers), Cut Garden, Bouquets

Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)sweet-pea-e1526493728960.jpg
Height:  3-8 ft
Bloom Time: May – July  (In cool weather areas, blooms until fall)
Flower Colors Available in:  All colors ( Except Yellow)
Exposure:  Full Sun (but, not in high heat areas)
Attributes:  Fragrant Colorful Climber
Uses:  Border Gardens, Cottage Garden
Note: Needs to grow on a support structure such as a trellis, a fence, stakes with strings or a bamboo pyramid.  Plants do poorly in high heat & humid areas! Sweet pea fruits are inedible and poisonous to humans.

Sweet alyssumSweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritime)
Height: 3-6 inches
Bloom Time: April – June
Flower Colors Available in:  White, Purple, Pink, Lavender, Violet
Exposure: Full sun – partial shade
Attributes:  Ground plant, Delicate Flowers, Fragrant, Re-seeds
Uses: Flowerbed Edges, Containers, Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes

Nicotiana (Nicotiana alata)nicotiana-alata-e1526493875640.jpg
Height: 3-5 ft.
Flower Colors Available in:  Red, White, Purple, Pink, Yellow, Pale Green
Exposure: Full sun – partial shade
Attributes:   Tubular flowers star-shaped fragrant flowers
Uses: Attracts Birds & Butterflies, Fragrant, Moon Garden (White flowers)

Four o’clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)4 oclock_Mirabilis jalapa
Height: 2-3 ft.
Bloom Time: June- Frost
Flower Colors Available in:  Red, Pink, Rose, Magenta, White, Sometimes Striped
Exposure: Full Sun
Attributes:  Trumpet-shaped flowers, Blooms in late afternoon, Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds.  Note: All parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested!

Horticulture Report: Cobaea scandens

Plant Name: Cobaea sandenscobaea-scandens
Common Name:  Cup & Saucer Vine
Family:
Polemoniaceae
Plant type:  Sub-tropical Vine  (annual below zone 9)
Height:   10-25 feet
Bloom Time:
Seasonal (In a greenhouse it flowers year round)
Flower Color: Violet or White
Exposure:  
Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Rich, moist, good drainage
Water Needs: Medium
Attributes:
Showy Bell Flowers, Fragrant, Attracts Hummingbirds & Butterflies
Note:
Mexico native, flowers last 4 days, Circa 1828 ~ RHS Award of Garden Merit
Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost.
Uses:
Garden wall, Fence and Trellis plant, Container plant with adequate support,
USDA Zone:
9-11

Check your local nurseries and garden center for seeds and/or plants.

Available online at:

Annie’s Annuals http://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/view/?id=269

Select Seeds Seeds & Plants : http://www.selectseeds.com/heirloom-ines/cup_and_saucer_vine_plants.aspx

Seeds: J.L. Hudson, Seedsman http://www.jlhudsonseeds.net/SeedlistCN-CZ.htm

Grandpa Ott’s Morning Glory

Ipomoea purpurea  (Grandpa Ott’s Morning Glory)

Plant Type: Annual (twinning vine)OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Sowing Method: Direct sow seeds in spring (first soak seed in warm water for 24 hrs, then nick the seed)
Bloom Time: Summer until frost – 12 weeks
Flower: Royal purple trumpet with deep pink “star”.
Plant Height: 13-15 feet
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil: Average well drained soil
Attributes: Attracts Humming Birds, Hardy, Easy to Grow, Re-seeds freely, Covers fence or trellis in a profusion of lovely flowers.
USDA Zones: 3-10

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