Fragrant suggestions for my new back planter.

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

So... Last year we lost a huge branch on our pine. And it crushed our wall. We rebuilt the wall, and built a raised planter at the base. We love it so much that we decided we should do the rest of the planters that way.

We were going to transfer the plants. But... My pine dropped another huge branch. Then we got it trimmed back.

I have alot more sun now. Not too sure if I like it.

All that combined... I only have a few plants left. A gardenia, a rose mallow, a blue butterfly bush, and a slow growing vine.

So I'm looking to fill the space with new plants. I know I want a camellia, and hydrangea, but other than that I'm not decided on anything.

The requirements I need to fit are, acidic to lightly acidic soil, part sun. There's more sun than shade right now but the trees will fill out.

It can't have cold requirements. It doesn't get cold enough for long enough for alot of things in my area. Warm growing tropical plants also don't do well. It may not get cold for long but it does dip into the 20 - 30 range for a few weeks at night.

And these two are really important. No dry winter rest. That's our rainy period. And must be able to withstand our 9 month growing season. That may not seem like much but alot of plants give up after a few years because they can't rest.

I'm looking for bushes, shrubs, long lived perennials, and perennials, between 1 to 4 feet. Preferably evergreen. And fragrant.

I'm really hoping to fill my yard with more fragrant things this time.

But if you have something that you think is a must have, Please suggest it!

Sorry that was so long.

I forgot to say.things that get tall but stay kinda narrow are welcome. As are anything that can be trimmed down to size.

Featured Answer

ocelaris

8 years ago

Osmanthus fragrans of course! The only shrub I'd have if I lived in your climate! Try to look at the ever blooming varieties, but it may not be fully hardy. The fall blooming variety is definetly hardy. Osmanthus fragrans does fine being sheared, they bloom on old and new growth. Can you tell it's my favorite plant?

If you want just fragrance, philadelphus and lonicera fragrantissima are nice smell, but lanky. How about some hardy cestrums? Also for part shade some of the taller sarcococca are very attractive and smell nice in the winter.

Also, daphnes, odorata is nice, but the new ever blooming ones are to die for, literally in flower in my yard from spring to fall.

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Comments (7)

Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Difficult since I don't live in your zone but like the person before me I would suggest Philadelphus mexicanus and Daphne 'Eternal Fragrance' or 'Jim's Pride'. Sarcococca x confusa would be another one to try. How about Ceanothus thyrsiflorus? Another to consider is Edgeworthia chrysantha though I don't know if it requires a long chill to bloom in winter/early spring.
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I love your planter..... I think you need to quit feeding those frogs...they look a little swollen. Last night we were getting a lot of rain...I had the door open to the porch...listening...There were two teeny tiny little frogs at my pond. I'm guessing they were pretty "New" out of the water. They were croaking soooo loud , clear into the night. Now tonight....nothing. I wonder if they were calling to their little brothers and sisters that haven't quite made it to a full frog stage, and were lonely. Usually when they are "coming out" we have baby frog hopping all over the yard until they either find a home pleasing to them or something gets them for dinner. But it seems they always come back to lay their eggs. Because we have a bunch every spring. My grandson says they are little "Leopard" frogs. I love froggies... I have one fake froggy in my garden that is about the size of a small beach ball. patti
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Sooma, You are talking about using that space in the pic? Not a container, right? Go buy some composted manure, about 5-6 bags of it, at a big box store and mix in real good. While you are there, also buy 5-6 bags of mulch. I can see a trellis with jasmine on the largest emptiest part of the wall. I would plant jasmine there. Research Confederate jamine "Madison" and see what you think. Very strong scent, I have it. I would buy a plumeria for the part that leans out, in front of the window. Look on plumeria forum to see how easy they are to grow and take care of. There are some highly fragrant ones you would love! Plumerias also LOVE sun! You are the perfect zone. You want something lower growing also, for the rest of the area. I am not in your zone 10, but I am sure you will get plenty of other suggestions.
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your spot is really an important one- you are going to see it all the time, so it is important that the tree have multi-season appeal.i completely agree w/ the heptacodium idea.they can stay narrow and w/in your height goal; their handsome shreddy whitish bark trunks give 4 season interest.white flowers and pink calyxes give them 1-2 months' flowering value. a smaller species of stewartia would also be terrific.very handsome splotched bark and white camelia like flowers in june. crepe myrtle- more wonderful bark.franklinia too big for this spot. personally, i think enkianthus are not handsomely shaped and their tiny bell flowers are too delicate for a key position.they would be good in a mixed border where their weaknesses can be countered by other companions. i also don't think a labernum or a golden rain tree is handsome enough in form or foliage to be made a focal point.Halesia u.conn wedding bells is narrow, beautiful in flower and good for your size, but does not have the bark advantage of the others. do tell us what you ultimately pick! best, mindy www.cottonarboretum.com/
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pharaoh, up until this year, all I did was fertilize once a month with Hawaiian Bud and Bloom. When my rubras lose all their leaves, I then move all my pots to the side of my house, under the eves. The thought was that the warmth of the house would help keep them from damage in really cold weather. So far, it worked out well. When you look at the first picture, that was taken soon after they were planted. I had a real scare because my obtuse all lost most of their leaves! That had never happened before, and I figured it may have been shock, or maybe they just needed to lose some leaves. They bounced back fine. In the winter I watered them about once s month, depending on weather, and how. Much rain we had. I would test the soil to see if it was dry first. At least for me, they do not bloom in the winter, once the inflow "wear out", but they do keep their leaves. I had asked my sister in Hawaii as to whether they have a season where the Singapores normally lose their leaves, she said they do, for what it is worth. Ask Bill what he suggests, but number one I would guess is maybe you watered them too much? Just a guess. I plan on leaving them in the planter this winter, but will be keeping a very close eye on them!
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User
8 years ago
ordph.

This is what I have and they grow nice here, Michelia Figo, banana shrub, evergreen, grows slow enuf to not be a nucence for trimming. Mabey you already have one. They aren't expensive either.

Sweet olive, which I think you already have. Then there is Sweet Viburnum, which is also evergreen, sweet white flowers in spring. It would like your winters.

Elephant ears, might die in winter tho, but comes back nice. I also have Mexican hydrangea, I don't know the proper name for it, it would love your weather, but it spreads, so you would have to contain it, VERY fragrant. Pink flowers, you would not believe how this plant spreads.

All the above plants like part shade, acidic soil, zone 8 and above for winter weather, except mabey the sweet olive, some people can grow them in zone 7.
botaniphile
8 years ago
For zone 9, I second osmanthus fragrans. I'd also suggest gardenia and roses, although roses get black spot... A few of my favorite roses are Belinda's Dream, Souvenir de la Malmaison, and Abraham Darby. Make sure you get the correct rootstock (fortuniana, I believe). I used to grow lemongrass, four o' clocks, roses and herbs in addition to my orchids and tropicals which I'd have to bring in in winter.
ordphien
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you.

There's not enough light for roses in this bed though. Also blackspot is unheard of here, and fortuniana root stock does dismally in our soil.

I do have Abraham Darby! I adore him.

Thanks for reminding me about lemon grass. I have a plant in a pot but I should really plant more. I use it alot in cooking.
ordphien
Original Author
8 years ago
I've made a list based off your suggestions guys. Thanks for all the shrubs.

I'm going to sprinkle in a few jasmine as well. And I think I'll be out of room.
botaniphile
8 years ago
Ah, you must be on the west coast! I'm jealous -- roses love it there! Lemongrass is awesome. I love herbs -- basil is one of my favorites. I like to munch basil when I'm out in the garden :).

Fragrant suggestions for my new back planter.

ocelaris

Comments (7)

Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)

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Fragrant suggestions for my new back planter.

ocelaris

Comments (7)

Robert (zone 7a, Oklahoma)

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botaniphile

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