The most scented lilac is Korean Lilac. My friend has 9 of them planted in 1 straight line. I went to his house around 8pm. Right after I got out of my car, I thought I was put under a spell. What she does too is open her garage door and her door going to the house. She also opens her door to her backyard so that the wind has an exit. It makes her whole house smell really good! However, she told me that she only smells it during mornings and at night! But still, all I can say, it's unbelievable. In my own garden, there was also this very intoxicating scent that took me a week to figure out. Even when I am in the driveway when a breeze hits me, I can smell it so strong. I smelled my alchemilla, forthegilla, alyssum and also to my neighbor's plants. It wasn't them. I found out it was my Dianthus Firewitch. I couldn't believe it was it because I didn't smell it during its first and second year. Another plant I know is sweet pea. It smell's like lilac. However, I am not sure if it's strong. I didn't have a chance to investigate it since I only stayed at Cantigny for few hours.

Hi, lovetogarden: If you plant a fig tree in the ground, be prepared to winterize it during the winter months every year! My zone is 5 or 6? I have 1 in-ground fig tree (maybe a Kadota), it was indoored for several years previously. It was moved to the ground last summer. The roots were getting too heavy for me to move the pot in and out of the house. As I had no prior experience of winterization, last year was a first try of that. I DO NOT have the strength and no one to help me to bury my 3 and a half feet tall fig tree, so: By myself, I put a lot of dried leaves, a wire cage, old carpet and 1 large cardboard box for the tree. I am sure that I gave my fig tree enough insulation, but the top branches of the tree died of mold. I assume this is due to I did not keep the tree dry (not covering the whole thing with a plastic cover, melted snow went into the tree). Well, at least it is NOT DEAD and growing well again! Now my tree is about 1 foot high with lots of new growth at the base of the tree. What I`ve learned it is tricky to winterize the fig tree when the weather is not stable-1 day cold, then the next day is hot! Moisture builds up in the tree when it is insulated that can cause mold. This coming winter I will do the winterization in several steps. To put the insulation up, I will do it in 2 steps: In November, I will put the initial insulation. I will put in leaves but not too much. Then around December 21 when the temperature drops significantly, I will put more insulation for the tree and this time I will make sure I put a plastic sheet to cover the whole thing. To remove the insulation when Spring is coming, I will do this in a 2 steps also. Because April is still not warm enough to uncover the fig tree, I would not want to remove the insulation and then have an early frost kill my fragile, beloved fig tree! It is much safer to remove the insulation in the beginning of May! Maybe after reading my post will convince you enough to put your fig tree(s) into a pot and do the shuffle for the winter months!

Just thought I'd point point out that the presence of pines and oaks does not necessarily indicate an acidic soil. Contrary to popular belief, their litter does not make the soil acidic - that is due primarily to the underlying mineral content of the soil and the amount of rainfall the region receives. Acidic mineral content and heavy annual rainfalls = acid soil. The breakdown/decomposition of acidic plant remains (conifer needles, oak leaves, etc.) results in a pretty much neutral pH, in the same manner you would find with any other compost. Some acids are leached out of fresh needles/leaves but their impact is insignificant. Those plants are only growing there because they find the soil chemistry compatible with their needs but they do NOT contribute to soil pH to any degree of significance one way or the other. As a testament to this concept, a fair number of pine and oak species actually prefer more alkaline soil conditions.

Three-Flowered Maple is an excellent small to mid-sized tree. Paperbark maple would be beautiful year-round. American Hornbeam is a great small tree with fall color and interesting winter form. The cultivar 'Native Flame' has a nice range of fall color. Magnolias like 'Leonard Messel' or 'Merill' are fantastic performers with outstanding blooms, foliage quality and yellow fall color. If going for the beech be sure there are others growing in your area- 5a is their limit and most cultivars will not make it below -20F. Northwind Maple is a Japanese x Korean cross that would be hardy enough for your area. Really great early leaf color and fall color. Royal Raindrops crabapple would give purple foliage color combined with nice flowers. Grows well even in quite harsh conditions. China Snow Pekin Lilac is another great small tree with flowers, bark, and decent yellow fall color. Would recommend it over regular Japanese Tree Lilac. Depending on the Birch you already have, Royal Frost & Dakota Pinnacle are also excellent selections with year-round interest. Lots of choices! And if you decide to go with a few conifers or even one your options expand greatly.