There are numerous really great, very fragrant dianthus cultivars, with lovely glaucous foliage. I think the best thing might be to select them at the nursery and smell them one's self.

That said, I would like to put in a plug for Dianthus superbus , "White Lace", if you can find it. It used to be easily available and I am sentimentalIy attached to it, but the pink and white mixture, which you could grow from seed (all are really fast from seed, I understand) is probably just as good. You can always select out the white ones.

Note: what passes for it today appears to be Dianthus plumaris "lacy snowflake" -- they are not the same. Superbus is very very deeply fringed, like a spider, and is supposed to waft at night for yards. I never heard that it wasn't hardy, in fact I think it might like the cooler north.

Here is a link that might be useful:

I would second the white Dianthus superbus! I love the fragrance of mine. I think it is also called the Rainbow of Loveliness. The only bad thing is that my plants only last for 2-3 years and then they need to be replaced.

The scent of lilac Dianthus superbus that I have kind of smells like perfumed soap during the day and the scent much stronger during the evening.

I also liked the Dianthus Tiny Rubies but the flowers are really small.

Jennifer