Quite a few trees and shrubs bear fragrant blossoms. These include the following.


Fringe Tree

This native woody plant is mostly a shrub, but it can be a small tree. This can be very late to leaf out.

The fringe trees prefer part shade to full sun, and requires good drainage. Easy to grow, the fringe tree prefers a light open soil.

The opposite foliage turns yellow in the fall. Both male and female plants bear flowers. The name refers to the wispy, white flower petals.

The fringe trees are mostly grown for their showy blossoms. The male and female flowers can be on separate plants.

The scented flowers form large, loose, open, pendant, lace-like clusters. The flowers feature four strap-like petals. The males bear large flowers.

When both sexes are present, the female will bear clusters of fruits, which can be blue. They resemble olives.

The plant requires very little pruning.

Japanese Flowering Apricot

This small tree or shrub is a sturdy, long lived plant. It experiences few of the problems seen in most ornamental fruit trees.

When mature, the Japanese flowering apricot becomes a gnarly, very striking tree with lots of character. The plant can reach 20 to 30 feet in height with a matching spread.


The leaves, which are hairy on both surfaces, are sharply toothed. The very spicy scented, pastel pink, one inch wide blossoms appear in winter and very early spring.

Depending on the variety, the blossoms can be double, semi-double, or single. These are an inch long. In some varieties, flowering occurs before the leaves appear. This is a very free flowering tree.

Japanese flowering apricot bears small, yellow-green fruits that are mostly inedible. Almost spherical, these are 1 ½ inch in diameter.


Magnolia

Certain ones of the magnolias have fragrant blooms. There are both native and cultivated species. These are among the loveliest of the spring flowering trees.

The size, hardiness, and flower color can vary by species.

Yellow cucumber tree has flowers with a light lemon-like scent.

Yulan magnolia bears white, cup-like, scented blooms, up to 6 inches long. The petals and sepals are alike.

An early flowering species, this magnolia can reach 50 feet in height. It features spreading branches. The young growth is hairy. It is hardy to zone 3.

Kobus magnolia has lightly scented, lily-like, white blooms, up to 6 inches wide. These appear from April onward before the leaves emerge. The 30 foot tall tree is mostly shrubby.

Large leaf cucumber tree has white scented blooms that open from late spring into summer after the leaves appear. The flowers are a foot wide. The 50 foot tall, round headed tree is native to the South.

Hardy to zone 4, this bears vivid red fruits in late summer and fall.

Ogama magnolia has scented, white, cup-like flowers, up to 4 inches wide. These open from late spring into summer.


Mock Orange

Mock oranges tend to be vigorous, deciduous, erect, large shrubs. The branches can be drooping. Typically, the plants are fountain shaped. The bark can be flaky.

Flowering is in late spring to early summer. Up to 2 inches across, the mock orange blossoms can be single or in clusters. They range from double to single, depending on the variety. T

he small flowers are mostly cream or white with purple at the base. Usually richly scented, they emerge in late spring.

The plant adapts to most soils provided they’re well drained. These are good for informal hedges and low screens These can also be used as specimen plants, and foundation plantings.

Easy to grow, the mock oranges have few pest or disease problems. The plants are very popular. A number of species are in cultivation with their size ranging from 4 to 12 feet in height. The plants are a great choice for shrub borders.