What is that smell?

Gardens are by no means one-dimensional. We tend to focus on their visual impact first, but well-planned gardens are capable of exciting all of the senses. Touch, sound and even taste can come into play, but gardens would simply not be gardens without their wonderful and intoxicating scents.

When we take the time to ’stop and smell the roses’, we benefit in many ways. A leisurely stroll thru a fragrant garden can relax us and lower our stress levels. We’ve all heard of the benefits of aromatherapy which uses essential oils distilled from aromatic herbs and other plants. Many people swear by their mood and health altering abilities. A fragrant garden is just a different version of this.

Fragrance also ties strongly to memory. Some experts argue that scent is the most potent trigger for memories. A familiar fragrance can quickly transport us back in time in a much more ‘real’ or emotional way, than say, a picture of something familiar. This is what lilacs do for me.

Even though we might like to think that fragrance in plants is purely for our enjoyment, in reality, its purpose is to attract pollinators. Bees, butterflies and insects are attracted to plants with strong scents. I was interested to read that one recent study has found that air pollution may be interfering with bees’ ability to follow scents to their source, thereby interfering with pollination.

Many people believe that the older varieties of plants were more fragrant than the modern hybrids. The argument is that breeding for larger flowers and other desirable qualities sometimes sacrifices scent. I’m sure that at least in part this is true, but there are still plenty of good options for almost any garden situation.

The list of plants that deserve a place in a fragrance garden is long indeed. Some, like Hyperion daylilies, are best appreciated up close, while others, such as Star Magnolias, have a scent that can be picked up on the breeze. The fragrances we choose to add to our gardens are unique statements about who we are. You may prefer the light perfume of roses, while your neighbor treasures the sweet, intense scent of peonies.

Flowering crabapples and magnolias are ornamental trees that can be highly scented. Fragrant shrubs include mock oranges, lilacs and butterfly bushes. Of course roses are a category all their own. Perennials that fit the bill include peonies, lilies, monardas and iris. A couple of fragrant vines are honeysuckle and sweet autumn clematis.


One of the most fragrant annuals is heliotrope. A few others with distinct scents are marigolds, nicotiana and alyssum. Hyacinths are bulbs that flower early and they are one of the first delightful fragrances from the garden to be enjoyed.




There are many aromatic herbs including some of the basic culinary ones like sage and rosemary. Some herbs are grown specifically for fragrance. Lavender is the one most people think about, but there are many more. One of my favorites is Sweet Annie (Artemesia annua) which can be dried and used in potpourri and wreaths.

When planning your fragrance garden be sure to site it in a sheltered location to help trap the scents. Place plants whose foliage must be rubbed to release the fragrance near walkways. Try to choose plants that flower at different times so you don’t have too many competing scents. If space is limited, fragrance gardens can also be grown in pots and window boxes.

The possibilities are endless, the choices are personal and the benefits are guaranteed.