Scented Plants in the Landscape

Common Lilac

Spring has sprung and my scented flowering plants have been blooming and intoxicating me with their heavenly scents. I truly enjoy having numerous flowering plants throughout the landscape, but those that are scented, either the flowers or the foliage, hold an extra special place in my heart. Spring is the second-best time for planting in the High Desert, so if you’re looking to add something new to the yard, now is a great time. Many of these plants are even great for low-water use landscapes.

I have an informal hedge of common purple lilacs (Syringa vulgaris), which just finished with their magnificent full bloom. Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), located along my front fence line, are provided sweet yellow blossoms from late winter through early spring. Also finishing their flowering period are my Purple Robe Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Purple Robe’) trees, which offer a fragrant aroma that I enjoy each time I walk under them. Sometimes I place one of my yard chairs under the trees so I can sit and enjoy the fragrance.

Soon, my patio trellis and a chicken coop, each covered with Purple Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica ‘Purpurea’), will be covered in fragrant purple-tinged flowers. And, in the next few weeks, the appealing white star-shaped flowers of the Star Jasmine vine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) will begin to bloom. I have of these vines in containers on my back patio that allow me to enjoy the sweetness of the blossoms whenever I go in or out of the house via the back door. Sometimes I will open the windows and a light breeze will carry the scent into the house.

Among the drought-tolerant shrubs with scented flowers or leaves found in my landscape are Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii), an assortment of Salvias, Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia and L. stoechas), and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). With this assortment, there is something that smells wonderful almost all year long.

Other fragrant plants – although not as drought-tolerant – that can survive in our High Desert climate include Flowering Crabapple (Malus floribunda), Flowering Plum (Prunus cerasifera ‘Atropurpurea’), Locust (various Robinia species), assorted Jasmines (Jasminum mesnyi, J. nudiflorum), Mock Orange (Pittosporum tobira), Rhaphiolepis ‘Majestic Beauty’, Roses (Rosa species), Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora), Moon Flower (Ipomoea alba), Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda and W. sinensis), and a number of bulbs and annuals such as Dianthus, Heliotrope, Hemerocallis, Hyacinth, Candytuft, Sweet Pea, Lilies, Stock, Nicotiana, Phlox, Nasturtium, and Sweet Violet.

In order to fully appreciate the scent of these wonderful plants, they should be placed in areas that are along a south- or west-facing slope or in areas that are protected from the wind. Warmer temperatures encourage the plants to release their bouquet more readily, while protection from the wind keeps the scents from dispersing. Patio areas during the summer can be an especially good place to enjoy the sweet aromas. If you have and area near a window or screen door, placing a scented plant near them can bring the scent into the house if there’s a gentle breeze and the window or door is left open.

Try planting various scented plants throughout your garden and create a path that meanders through the garden — allowing your senses to enjoy the different scents at every turn.

For other ideas on scented plants, the “Sunset Western Garden Book,” and “The Scented Garden” by David Squire are great places to start. Also check with a knowledgeable salesperson at your favorite nursery or garden center to find out what they have that smells great. With any luck, some will be blooming in the store and you can smell for yourself before you buy.