A garden can be beautiful to look at, but adding fragrance takes it to another level.
That’s the message from University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein, who says fragrant plants can make outdoor spaces more enjoyable while also helping pollinators find the flowers they need.
“Fragrance is an extension of a plant’s charm,” Trinklein said. “It transcends its physical space.”
Anyone who has stopped to smell a rose or caught the scent of lilacs drifting through the air probably understands what he means. A pleasant fragrance can bring back memories, create a sense of calm, or simply make a garden feel more inviting.
For plants, however, scent is more than a bonus feature.
Many flowers produce fragrance to attract pollinators. Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and even bats use scent to help locate blooms. In a way, a fragrant flower is advertising that it is open for business.
Night-blooming plants often rely heavily on scent because they cannot depend on bright colors to attract visitors after dark. Their fragrances tend to become stronger in the evening, which is one reason many gardeners enjoy sitting outdoors near fragrant plants on warm summer nights.
Not every plant fragrance is pleasant, though.
Some species have developed unusual odors to attract specific insects. The carrion plant, for example, smells like rotting meat. While that might not sound appealing, it works well for attracting blow flies and other insects that normally seek out decaying material.
Other plants use scent as a form of protection.
Basil is a good example. While many people enjoy its aroma in the kitchen, the same scent can help keep flies and mosquitoes away. Trinklein joked that some people even suggest using basil as a natural insect repellent, as long as you do not mind smelling a little like salsa.
For gardeners interested in creating a fragrance garden, location matters.
Most fragrant plants thrive in sunny spots that receive at least four to six hours of sunlight each day. Choosing an area protected from strong winds can also help scents linger longer instead of quickly blowing away.
Trinklein suggests placing fragrance gardens near patios, decks, or other outdoor gathering spaces. Since many fragrant plants become more aromatic at night, having them close to home allows people to enjoy them during evening relaxation.
Plant selection is equally important.
Gardeners should choose plants with similar sunlight, soil, and moisture needs. Perennials that bloom at different times can help provide fragrance throughout the growing season. Aggressive growers, such as mint, may need to be contained so they do not spread beyond their intended space.
Safety should also be considered. Angel’s trumpet is known for its powerful fragrance, but it is also toxic and should be handled with care.
Popular flowering plants for fragrance gardens include roses, peonies, lilies, sweet alyssum, garden phlox, pansies, and dianthus. Gardeners looking for fragrant foliage often turn to lavender, rosemary, sage, thyme, scented geraniums, and basil.
Larger landscapes can benefit from fragrant shrubs and trees such as lilacs, magnolias, mock orange, viburnum, witch hazel, and linden.
The result is a garden that does more than look good.
A well-planned fragrance garden can attract pollinators, provide natural beauty, and create a space that people enjoy long after the sun goes down. Sometimes the best part of a garden is not what you see. It is what you smell.
(Adapted from an article by the National Garden Bureau)
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