Terrace tricks- keep creeping mints cornered by making use of unexpected places. Many of the mints (Mentha spp.) are too rambunctious to place in a garden situation but play perfectly with each other when contained on a patio where a flag stone or few pavers missing (or intentionally removed). The mellow scent of spearmint ( mentha spicata) or the rich full bodied fragrance of chocolate mints (Mentha piperita) can be enjoyed in these safe havens. Mints can tolerate some afternoon shade so consider placing them just under a bench or by the leg of a chair where they can be gently brushed with your feet.
The need for fragrant foundations plants should not be overlooked because a garden is small. Small trees, shrubs and vines can be used for the visual “ face to face” appeal of having fragrance at nose level. These plants contribute to a garden space for architectural value and year round interest too!
Most of us can relate some odor, smell and scents to particular memories. A gentle whiff of lilac (Syringa ) can bridge a connection from the past to the present and create a link of love that can reach into the future. A fragrance such as this can be strong enough to carry you through time and tuck you under grandma’s porch for a game of hide and seek. Even the smell of fresh sweet basil and dill may be carried like a locket in heart of a loved one. (Ocimum basilicum and Anethum graveolens respectively.)
A scented garden is a sweet treat
of a simple beauty.
With few exceptions fragrant plants are not endowed with conspicuous or brilliant colored flowers. Scented geraniums (Pelargonium spp.) probably look much the same as they did a hundred years ago. The modest beauty of unspoiled foliage and simple flowers of Cheddar Pinks (Dianthus gratianopolitanus ) Bath’s Pink is appreciated by gardeners and pollinators who have learned to enjoy the less obvious and more subtle qualities of this understated “carnation” scented garden resident.
Aromatic oils contribute to many plants fragrance and flavor. Many of these plants are considered herbs. This additional dimension to the scented garden offers the added bonus that many plants with strong scents, though frequently used for flavoring are frequently not favored chewing insects or wildlife. This makes favorites such as lemon verbena ( Aloysia triphylla) a perfect choice for the close viewing that small intimate gardens offer. Where frilly flowers might seem out of place and over the top, these understated plants can fill the air with mouth watering notions that are “lemon drop” delicious.
The way to know if a plant has a scent is sometimes as simple as reading the name. Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis ternifolia) tells with the common name that this plant has fragrance. ( read for hints in botanical names as well) Be sure when ordering from catalogs to read descriptions closely for reference to fragrance and scent. When visiting local nurseries and greenhouses, get help “sniffing out” less common choices by asking your favorite nursery person. They have many opportunities as they water, rearrange and and care for stock to note such characteristics. Finally depend heavily on your own nose’s preference and the plant’s requirements for the a best possible choices in your area.
Perennial favorites for years of fragrant enjoyment are often the most familiar. Peonies (Paeonia) are an old fashioned favorite in areas that have winter cold (they require a cold period in order to form buds. Check with your local nursery to see if they grow in your area) Although they come in a profusion of colors and forms, many are not fragrant or only slightly fragrant. Chose those noted for fragrance in the description or purchase while in bloom. Most fragrant are the white and pink varieties such as P. “ Mrs. Franklin Roosevelt” or P. “Sarah Bernhardt”. These long lived beauties will reward you with a bounty of color and fragrance as long as they have full sun and rich well drained soil.
Another summer blooming perennial favorite is summer phlox (Phlox paniculata). Several cultivars are fragrant including P. “David”. This past Perennial of the Year selection is a lovely white flowering form that need good air circulation. The sweet soft lingering fragrance carries in the breeze well so place these where air movement will bring the scent past windows and doors.
For the shade garden consider this late blooming Hydrangea paniculata ‘Tardiva’. Sometimes offered as a shrub or occasionally trained to grow like a small tree, this USDA Zone 4 hydrangea blooms reliably every year and has a delightful fragrance when the flowers first open. It is also a butterfly magnet.
Hosta, a frequent resident of the shade garden can have fragrance as well. Obviously H. ‘Fragrant Bouquet’ is a selections noted for fragrance but consider others such as H. ‘So Sweet’, H. ‘Guacamole’ and H. ‘Sweet Susan’. Fragrant plantain lily (Hosta plantaginea ) is the parent of many of the modern hybrids, and although less available, is still a great garden addition for fragrance and hummingbirds too!
Where flowers are harder to coax into bloom because of water shortages, many silver or gray leaf plants including southernwood’ ( Artemisia spp.) and silver leaf yarrow such as Achillea ‘Moonshine’ can be the anchor for a fragrance garden. Perfect for hot and dry situations, these depend on the foliage to carry their scent. Typical of most gray foliage plants, these plants have fragrant oils and tiny little hairs to help conserve moisture. These plants natural live in places with limited rain fall. Sandy soil and quick drainage make these “hotties” happy.
Sweet Bay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana var. australis) is a favorite in courtyards and enclosed spaces. Hardy in many zones, its “lemon pudding” fragrance is truly delicious. It can be pruned immediately after flowering to control size. Use landscape lighting to emphasis its beautiful foliage and bark. This is another multi-purpose selection as the fruits of magnolia are attractive to songbirds.
Other good shrub choices for aromatic gardens include: Korean Lilac ( Syringa meyeri var. spontanea) Sweetpepper bush (Clethra alnifolia) Sweetspire ( Itea virginica ) and most selections of Butterfly bush ( Buddliea). For a unique tree choice consider White Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus). This very underused small tree with clean fresh floral scent should find a place in every scented garden.
Its not too late to plan for pleasure now. Small gardens are limited only by space not imagination!
KEEPING IT SWEET AND SIMPLE—
Concentrate your Gardening Efforts with a Fragrant Garden |
