Abdi and Slade selected four native species to plant in their rain garden: river birch, bald cypress, sweetbay magnolia and Virginia sweetspire. But rain gardens can include many other plants.

Magnolia, especially the southern grandiflora species (7-9), is another highly aromatic shrub or tree that puts forth large, sweetly fragranced flowers you’re not likely to forget.

Plant these lovely magnolia trees and shrubs for timeless appeal. Here, our favorite types of magnolias to use in our gardens.

A SMALL rotten picket fence, that is suffocating under the weight of unruly ivy and bindweed sits between myself and my neighbours. We both have 80ft gardens, but the evening sun lands on my side o… ...

Abdi and Slade selected four native species to plant in their rain garden: river birch, bald cypress, sweetbay magnolia and Virginia sweetspire. But rain gardens can include many other plants.

For an intoxicating perfume, these flowers that will make your nose happy.

The more cold-hardy sweet bay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) will provide a similar service in zones 5-10.

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens is ranked #10 out of 28 things to do in Charleston, SC. See pictures and our review of Magnolia Plantation & Gardens.