Fragrant Evening Garden

Master gardener Chris Dawson selects plants for a moon garden based on their fragrance and ability to reflect light. Calla lillies and the annuals licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolore) and dusty miller (Artemisia) feature foliage that reflect light. Fragrant choices include:

• Common gardenia (Gardenia augusta), which is hardy to Zone 7 or 8 and likes full sun and moist soil.
  
• 'White Gem' (Gardenia jasminoides), a dwarf variety of gardenia that has smaller leaves and blooms but is still big on fragrance.
  
• Sweet alyssum (Labularia maritime), an annual in most climates that should be sheared back after blooming to encourage continued flowering.

The patio in this project has two posts that frame the area. Pink jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum) is an evergreen that grows to 20 feet tall. It's hardy to Zone 8 and blooms in late spring and early summer. Secure the vines to the brackets along the posts with a twist tie to encourage a climbing habit. Be careful: tying it too tight can cut the stems.

To add more fragrance on the patio, Dawson places scented geraniums in a pot near the sitting area. These geraniums are more subtle than their colorful cousins, but they are very fragrant. There are more than 50 types of scented geranium and include aromatic choices like apple, ginger, chocolate mint, lemon, orange, nutmeg, rose and apricot.

Once the weather warms up and the plants come into full bloom, the patio will be a relaxing, aromatic evening escape. A garden full of sweet smelling evening flowers is a gardener's lullaby.