Five Southern Flowering Plants to Enjoy in Your Garden

Growing up in the Midwest, then moving to the south, the air is different. It's soft with fragrance and sometimes intoxicatingly bold. Summer offers countless scented flowers. These five lovely fragrant flowers can bring numerous ways to bringing enjoyment to your garden. If you ask anyone from the south what their favorite is and you're bound to get a story.

1. Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) I have to say that the Gardenia is probably as much as a staple in a Southerner's garden as cornmeal is in the kitchen pantry. I love the fragrance and the stark contrast of dark green, glossy leaves and bright white blooms. It is so classy and elegant.

Light: Plant in full sun or light that's filtered through trees.
Water and soil: Gardenias prefer acid soil and consistent moisture; feed once a month during the growing season with a plant food such as Miracle-Grow Water Soluble Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron Plant Food 30-10-10 or fish emulsion.
Garden secret: Some selections, such as August Beauty and Chuck Hayes, blooms in June and again in late summer or early fall. Read the plant tag for the selection names and blooming habits.

2.Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) When the wind blows the breeze smells like it's sweet; I just love this!

Light: Full sun keeps these stately trees full and lush, although they adapt to partial shade as well.
Water and soil: Magnolias prefer well-drained, rich soil. Newly planted trees must be well watered during the first several growing seasons.
Garden secret: Choose the selection carefully; some classic southern magnolias may reach 80 feet tall when mature. But others, such as "Little Gem," slowly climb to a petite 20 feet. A named selection ensures the characteristics you require.

3. Oriental lily (lilium sp.) Some people consider lilies to be an exotic plant and I do have to agree. There are so many different types of lilies you want to make sure you keep them separated because each one has its own kind of perfume plus they do benefit better with a little breathing room.

Light: Other plants, with foliage and flowers in full sun or filtered light, should shade bulbs.
Water and soil: Oriental lilies require loose, well-drained soul. In heavy clay, add copious amounts of leaf mold, peat, or soil conditioner. Water bulbs consistently, throughout the year.
Garden secret: Grow lilies in containers; while they're blooming, you can bring them close to the house for fragrance where you want it.

4. Four o'clock (Mirabilis jalapa) Four o'clock is a flower of old. Many gardens were filled with these types of flowers that as the sun would set, the air would turn sweet.

Light: Full sun or slightly filtered light suits them.
Water and soil: Once seeds have germinated, this undemanding plant withstands dry southern summers, perking up and reblooming with occasional rainfall. Garden secret: Four o'clock scatters their seeds and spread indiscriminately. In the Lower South, they are perennial plants that form tubers, while in the Upper South they behave as annuals. They provide abundant seeds to share; be sure you want them before you sow.

5. Ginger lily (Hedychium coronarium) The Ginger lily has a perfume that brings you a peaceful calm feeling.

Light: Ginger lily adapts to full sun or light shade.
Water and soil: Plant tubers in soil rich with organic matter. Ginger lilies love water, making them good choices for a damp location.
Garden secret: Tuck them into the back corner of a garden for endless fragrance at summer's end. Tall plants may require staking.

Gardenia Tip: Some Magnolia selections, such as Little Gem, bloom repeatedly throughout the summer and into fall. Floating the flowers in a shallow bowl of water to enjoy the scent indoors for a few days.

Lily Tips: The scent of lilies can be significant when they are planted in masses. But a few cut blooms of Stargazer Oriental lily in an outdoors basket welcomes guests with a gentle perfume.

Four o'clock Tips: Plant them along paths you pass through at dusk. Flowers open in the late afternoon, and the delicious fragrance increases during evening hours.

Ginger lily Tip: Ginger lily will make you think sensual, tropical romance. It cuts well, so you can place a flower where you will enjoy it up close. Blooms continue to open as the bud matures, even when cut.