I didn't come up with an answer here.
Probably, most of the TEG crowd who have been around awhile might expect me to say: dahlia. But, I like lots of flowers

. I even like tomato and squash flowers!
The original list is a little confusing to me. Brugmansia doesn't survive winter temperatures in lots of locations, altho it is real pleasing to me to see that some grow it around here as an annual. The lack of hardiness is likely true with others on the list.
Some of us went right ahead and chose annuals. And, why not? Several on the suggested list may not bloom during their first summer - "brightening our days" would have to be an anticipation for later years.
I like iris real well. Some have a very pleasant fragrance. Of course, they are big, bright and beautiful. Dahlias certainly are also but their "sunflower" fragrance isn't what most expect and would call wonderful, or something.
Some of the annuals are great! I feel lucky that some of them, like petunias and zinnias do well here. I don't really understand why DW doesn't care much for marigolds. I mean, you don't have to sniff at them. Besides, I found several varieties that smell okay

.
I think I'll look at some gladiola pictures. Anybody who just thinks "funeral arrangement" every time they see a glad ... well ... stop that!
Steve