Years ago, I was visiting Lima in December when suddenly, a sweet perfume came wafting through the warm afternoon air. For an instant I was confused, until I realized the smell was none other than the scent of roses. And rounding the corner there they were, a stunning collection of velvety, deep pink blooms beckoning me into their fragrant garden.
ON THE SCENT
In the plant world, fragrance guides pollinators to flowers that are ready to be fertilized. And in the human world, fragrance is a source of attraction, too. But in lieu of pollinators, it seduces the senses, luring different individuals to different flowers. This experience can stir emotions, evoke powerful memories and provide an overall sense of well-being.
Lilacs are one of the best spring scents
Fragrance has always played a key role in the garden. And now, in a growing trend, it is being recognized as an essence worth cultivating all on its own. A fragrant garden is a new twist adding an exciting dimension to gardening. When carefully choreographed, the gradual release of scent over time can enhance our outdoor experience. What is more, it can deepen our appreciation for the individual plants in our garden.
CHOOSING A SITE
In everyday life, fragrance plays many roles. First, it can alter emotions. Studies show that certain fragrances can improve people’s emotional and spiritual well-being while potentially reducing depression and/or anxiety. This may explain why a purposeful combination of aromatic plants often brings a sense of peace and relaxation.
Place scented plants along a walkway or by a bench
And why not harness that effect? At home, try planting a group of scented plants near a patio or seating area where they can be quietly inhaled. Or, site them close to a window where they can serve as an indoor-outdoor transition. Positioning your fragrant garden close to the house will not only make harvesting plants easy, but also encourage their aromas to lift up and carry inside.
Plant a fragrant garden under a window for a powerful effect
FRAGRANT GARDENS AND MEMORY
At other times, fragrance can evoke memories while releasing positive emotions of happiness and well-being. For me, it’s the delicate aroma of pansies. With just one whiff, I am instantly transported back in time to age 5 in our neighbor’s garden. He had a walkway edged with purple pansies. And to this day, I can still remember the intoxicating allure of those velvety blooms.
Fragrance can evoke memories.
Indeed, even the smallest fragrant garden can have a big impact on our sense of well-being. To illustrate, the simple act of positioning scented plants along a walkway allows them to release their aromas when people brush by them. This unexpected encounter can produce a powerful effect.
Whatever location you choose for your scented plants, make sure it’s a sunny, well-sheltered site. Enclosed spaces work best because they not only protect delicate blooms but also help concentrate the plants’ individual fragrances. And this, in turn, heightens the overall effect.
DESIGNING A FRAGRANT GARDEN
When designing your fragrant garden, follow the same tiered layout of the perennial garden. That is, include a mix of tall, medium and low-growing plants that each complement each other. Above all, make sure to plan for a succession of blooms that balances fragrance along with leaf shape, texture and flower color.
That being said, never fixate on just one scent. This can quickly become overpowering and detract from the overall interest of the garden.
Jasmine
A good rule of thumb is to use taller, scented shrubs as a backdrop to your fragrant garden, or select just one as an anchor. And remember to site medium-sized plants forward of larger shrubs. Most importantly, save low-growing, sweet-scented perennials, annuals and herbs for the front of the garden.
WHAT TO PLANT IN YOUR FRAGRANT GARDEN
Below you’ll find a list of shrubs, perennials, annuals and bulbs known for their intoxicating scents (most of which I have experience with.) Depending on the size of your garden, you can choose one or a few from each list to create your own custom mix of smells. Remember to plan for a succession of bloom times, which will keep your fragrant garden going all season long. (Click on the links to learn more about each plant.)
SHRUBS
Lilac, Syringa cultivars
Korean spice bush, Viburnum carlesii
Mock Orange, Philadelphus ‘Belle Etoile’
Gardenia cultivars
Daphne x transatlantica ‘Blafra’ Eternal Fragrance
Sweet Olive, Osmanthus fragrans ‘Fudingzhu’
Winter Honeysuckle, Lonicera fragrantissima
Camellia, Camellia sasanqua, Camellia lutchuensis hybrids
Sweetbay Magnolia (small tree)
Chinese Witch Hazel, Hamamelis mollis
VINES
Jasmine, Jasminum
Sweet Autumn Clematis, Clematis paniculata
PERENNIALS
Chocolate Cosmos, Cosmos atrosanguineus (Really does smell like chocolate!)
Hosta ‘Honeybells’, Hosta plantaginea
Lemon lily, Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus
Lily of the Valley, Convallaria majalis
Peony ‘Festiva Maxima’ (white), Eden’s Perfume (pink), Raspberry Sundae (cherry pink)
Scented Geranium, Pelargonium crispum ‘Prince Rupert’
Heliotrope, Heliotropium arborescens
Lavender, Lavandula x intermedia ‘Provence’
Phlox paniculata ‘Blue Paradise’ (More purple than blue, but highly fragrant)
ANNUALS
Pot Marigold, Calendula officinalis
Sweet Alyssum, Lobularia maritima Highly fragrant, cool-season annual
HERBS
Lavender, Lavendula x intermedia Provence
Pineapple Sage, Salvia elegans
BULBS
Galanthus ‘S. Arnott’
Hyacinth, Hyacinth orientales
Daffodil, Triandrus Narcissus ‘Thalia’
Tulips, ‘Angelique‘, ‘Princess Irene‘
Want to learn more? Check out this great book by Rosemary Verey, The Scented Garden, my go-to reference for all fragrant plants and how to combine them into beautiful compositions.
Do you have a favorite scented plant you’d like to add to the list? Feel free to reply above or email me at carole@herebydesign.net.
(This post was updated February 2019)
