SCENTED GARDENS – a delight
In our gardens we plant our favourites, having come to terms with any plants that are already established when we move into a property. The last is sometimes an exercise that requires cutting an ill scented shrub or tree but usually we feel free to plant scented plants whether they are annuals, perennials, shrubs or trees in such a way as to extract maximum enjoyment from their unique gifts of perfume.
Usually we look to flowers to provide this pleasure, sometimes to foliage, less frequently to fruit or bark and rarely to their roots.
What we can cultivate in our climatic conditions affects our range and choices but as important is our own personal olfactory sense. The following listing offers some suggestions.
Acacia spp Mimosa, Wattle – with hundreds of species in Australia, there is a wide range of scents but the A. dealbata is best known as the Mimosa in commerce in Europe
Acorus calamus, Calamus, Sweet Sedge is scented in all its parts but roots are most valued.
Aponogeton distachym Water Hawthorn has a strong scent – lance shaped leaves white flower unusual shape with black anthers. Scent disappears soon after picking.
Aloysia citriodora syn Lippia citriodora Lemon Verbena leaves scented
Alyssum maritimum Sweet Alice sweet scent like hawthorn
Azaleas Double Ghent and Mollis azaleas are scented, also some Knaphill and Exbury hybrids
A. atlanticum from North America – smaller bush with pinkish white flowers very fragrant
A. pontica syn Rhododendron luteum sickly sweet scent but care as honey is toxic.
Buddleia variabilis syn B. davidii Butterfly Bush is a sweet medium scented shrub
B. globosa pleasantly scented
Calamintha varieties possess scent hinting of thyme and sage
C. grandiflora is taller with rose red flowers
Calycanthus floridus Carolina Allspice is aromatic with leaves having fruity scent and apple scented flowers. The bark is cinnamon like.
Cananga odorata var. genuine Ylang Ylang is the source of the best essential oil
C. odoratum var macrophylla is scented but inferior
Also known as ylang ylang are the vines Artabotrys odoratissimus, Artabotrys hexapetalus
Ceoanothus dentatus
C. burkwoodii not as tall as C. dentatus
Gloire de Versailles grows to 2m with powder blue flowers through summer and autumn.
Choisya ternata Mexican Orange – scented similar to Orange blossom or sweet Philadelphus.
Citrus spp Orange blossom, (Neroli) is the finest but Lemon blossom is scented too
Clematis spp
C. montana wilsonii highly perfumed
C. flammula has best fragrance
Clethra
C. ainifolia Sweet Pepper Bush with white scented flowers
Corylopsis spicata pale yellow flowers scent of cowslip
C. wilmottiae is more fragrant
Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn blossom, sweetly scented
Cyclamen europeum has a strong scent
Daphne - all are popular scented plants
D. odora,D. burkwoodii
D. blagayana is a prostrate fragrant plant
Dianthus spp Carnations
D. fragrans, D. onoeanus, D. petreus all scented
D. caesius – Cheddar pink from England has best perfume old cloves
Eucalyptus citriodora Lemon Scented Gum from Australia as are most in this genus. of over 700 species.The leaves are the source of its unique and beautiful scent. Its influence is appreciated most after a shower of rain releases the scent.
Eucharis grandiflora Amazon Lily scent is good
Exacum affine - a greenhouse annual only a few inches high with violet flowers somewhat like Lily of the Valley.
Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet - strewing herb – richly perfumed of English wild flowers – similar to hawthorn but stronger
Gladioli tristis has a very sweet scent
Gladstoniana is a huge scented waterlily
Hamamelis mossis from China has wonderful scent on warm day.
Hedichyum alba White Ginger with flowers good enough to eat!
Heliotropus arborea Heliotrope, Cherry Pie strong reminiscent of hawthorn. Mauve hybrids are vanilla scented and fascinating in the garden. Attractive little plants to 60cm .
Hesperis matronalis Sweet Rocket has a perfume like cloves
Humea elegans Incense Plant biennial- can cause skin irritation but has fragrant foliage.
Hymenocallis
H.narcissiflora.
H. speciosa Sacred Lily of the Incas
Humea elegans Incense Plant biennial- can cause skin irritation but has fragrant foliage.
Iris spp
I .aphylla, I.arenaria, I.florentina, I. germanica, I.graminea,I. histrioides,I. reticulata, I.stylosa all scented species are sweet
I. florentina flower is violet scented and the root dried in use of perfume
I. pallida Fleur de Lis or Flower de Luce of Dalmatia has very sweet perfume like orange flowers.
Jasminum spp
J. officinale – important ingredient in the perfume industry
J. polyanthm strongly scented flowers
J. sambac specially sweet scented is the Grand Duke of Tuscany.
Lavandula spp Lavenders all are enjoyed for their refreshing, gentle scent enjoyed for their scented delightful leaves and balsamic flower scent used in perfume industry
Lilium spp
L. candidum Madonna lily scent is delicious
L. giganteum (Cardiocrinum) scented white flowers on a stem. Bulb dies after flowering.
L. longiflorum Easter Lily rich perfume
L. pyrenaicum pleasant perfume at distance, can be objectionable close up.
L. regale Chinese lily with heady scent
Lomandra effusa – Scented Mat Rush
Lonicera spp – Honeysuckles Most species are delightfully scented with only one known to be without perfume.
L. japonica Japanese Honeysuckle is one of the most popular garden and also L fragrantissima and L. periclymenum
Mathiola bicornis Night Scented Stock – waves of delicious heady fragrance in evenings. – sow the Virginia stock and the Night stock together, for a display in the day and perfume at night!
Melaleuca argentea, M/.Squarrosa Silvery Paper Bark
Mentha spp -Mints have scented leaves and flowers with reputation for pleasant and refreshing scents
M. requiernii mat forming for scented paths, very aromatic when disturbed.
Michelia champaca Champac – a really popular perfume
M. figo – Port Wine Magnolia has small flowers that release in warm condition, the most delicious, satisfying sweet scent that will never be forgotten and is often likened to the liqueur or sometimes called the Banana Bush.
Myrtus communis Myrtle possesses fragrant leaves and flowers
Narcissus spp Daffodils , Jonquils There is a reputed double daffodil introduced by John Tradescant, gardener to Charles I, with an incomparable perfume as have many wild ones. Modern bred daffodils have much less perfume
N, campoernelli odourus plenus double has great perfume
N. poeticus Poets Narcissus, Pheasant’s Eye has white flower with yellow trumpet and red crisped margins.
Nepeta mussini Catmint or Catnep. This is popular as a bedding plant amongst roses. Most attractive to cats. They roll in it and go into cat ecstasies.
Nicotiana Scented Tobacco
N. alata – cream fragrant flowers
N. sylvestris white fragrant flowers
Nymphaea capensis Blue water Lily
N. flavo-virens Mexican water lily – white flowers
N. odorata, N.elegans N. stellata,N. tuberosa N. pygmaea are perfumed
N. stellata pale blue scented flowers
Oenothera odorense – Evening Primrose – biennial well known in cultivation
O. trichocalyx white flower almost as pleasantly scented as the former
Osmanthus delavayii white flower with a penetrating perfume
O. fragrans – exquisite perfume, like ripe apricots
Pelargonium spp often called Scented Geraniums many of these have highly scented leaves due to oil content and are popular in pot pourri and scent making. There are many varieties.
Petasites fragrans Winter Heliotrope has hawthorn like perfume – exceedingly strong
Philadelphus spp Mock Orange – most in this genus are delightfully scented.
Pittosporpum revolutum, P. rhombifolium, P. undulatum all possess attractive fragrances
P. tenuifolium this one is night scented
Plumeria acutifolia Frangipani from Mexico.
P. alba and P. rubra are highly perfumed tropical flowers
Pogostemon patchouli Patchouli produces very potent oil for the perfume industry
Polianthes tuberose Tuber-rose – said to be the strongest of floral perfumes – its potent sweet perfume is extracted by a more complex process than others.
Primula kewensis has yellow flowers and fragrant as are other species
Pyrus coronara and P. augustifolia Crabapples both with scented flowers
Rhododendron spp a few of the species in cultivation are scented
R. azaleoides similar to R.fragrans and R. odoratum – highly scented
R. desquamatum, R. rubiguisum and R. saluense are aromatic.
R. bullatum and R. cillatum are fragrant as R. veris
Ribes aureum, Golden Currant
R, fasciculatum from Japan has cream fragrant tubular terminal flowers
R. gayanum White flower tubular, fragrant from Chile
R. odoratum has yellow scented flower in terminal racemes
R. speciosum flowers said to be clove perfumed
Rosa spp. Some of the finest perfumed roses include many old roses Renowned for those with outstanding perfume:
R. alba , R. albasemi-plena, R. alba maxima
R. damascena – Celsiana, Gloire de Guilau, Ispahan, Kazanlik Leda pink form , Madame Hardy, Marie Louise, Omar Khayayam,
R. gallica Provins Rose, – ancient Apothecary’s Rose – Alain Blanchard Belle Iris, Cardinal de Richelieu, Gloire de France Jenny Duval Duchess de Montebello
R. mundi – Tuscany Rose
R. indica Chinese rose – Common Bush China, Cecile Brunner, Bloomfield Abundance,
R. moschate Musk Rose – Buff Beauty, Felicia, Magenta, Pax, Penelope, Pink Prosperity, Vanity.Bourbon rose -Zephyrine Drouhin, Souvenir de la Malmaison, Boule de Beige, la Reine Victoria, Louise Odier, Madame Isaac Pereire, Madame Pierr Oger.
R. rubiginosa Sweet Briar – stems and leaves Marechal Neil yellow, highly perfumed
R. turkestanica -single apricot flowers, Jenny Wren
Modern hybrids – Double Delight – Charles de Gaulle, Emanuel, Olympia, Mister Lincoln, Perfume Perfection
Rosmarinus officinale Rosemary few can refrain from crushing the tips of this bush when passing by –balsamic scent, clean and therapeutic for brain and mental faculties
Salvia spp Sage
S. rutilans has a pineapple scent
S. sclarea Clary strongly scented but not as strong as common sage, S. officinalis
Sambucus nigra Elder tree – flowers have pleasant perfume but not so the leaves
Santolina chamaecyparissus Lavender Cotton – used once as cooking herb but suited to strewing and keeping away moths in clothes
Spartium spp Spanish Broom sweetly scented as many species and hybrids
Stephanotis Madagascar Jasmine sweet strong exotic perfume
Thyme spp all offer a degree of perfume that varies considerably with each
T. herbaborona smells of caraway seeds
T. nitidus has attractive perfume
T. serpyllus is the wild, culinary herb use along pathways as is
T. citrinus lemon scented
Trachelospermum jasminoides produces white sticky jasmine like scented flowers – climber
Tulipa Mendel tulip Orange wonder is strongly scented.
T. gesnerica and T. persica are good fragrance
T. sylvestis smells like violets.
Victoria regia the giant water lily is said o be sweetly scented
Viburnum spp
V. carlesii – sweetest scent in the plant world according to Fletcher
V. grandiflorum has larger pink flowers. Fruits are Edible
V. bodnantense is pink flowered hybrid of V. fragrans.
V. burkwoodii is finer some say
V. fragrans – sweet scented blossoms and fruits are eaten
Viola spp Violets
V. palustris Marsh Violet
V. riviniana Dog Violet with no smell
V. odorata true perfumed flower
Wisterias spp are sweetly scented for arbors and walkways
W. floribunda are very fragrant
W. sinensis has highly perfumed flowers
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Conifers, Cypress, Pines and many trees with aromatic leaves or gums release powerful and should not be neglected for inclusion in gardens for their vital healing influence.
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