A well-planned garden should awaken all of the senses: the sight of colorful flowers; the contrasting touch of luscious shrubbery; the chirp and buzz of creatures hard at work; the flavor of freshly grown fruits and vegetables; and, of course, the scents of the season.
A sudden waft of fragrance can invigorate or relax, can stir emotions or bring back memories. Turn your garden into a symphony of olfactory delights by selecting herbs and other plants based not just on their beauty, but also their smell.
Your aromatic garden can be as simple as a few pleasantly scented herb pots by the door, or as intricate as designated zones of complementary fragrances.
Planning Your Aromatic Garden
When designing your scented garden, don’t forget to focus on more than just the smells of the plants – remember to plan according to their color, the time of year they bloom, their size and their individual needs. This way, you will be left with a cohesive, year round garden of stunning colors and delightful aromas.
Place stronger smelling plants like jasmine and roses in a sun spot – this is where you are most likely to relax and soak up some rays, while enjoying the beauty of these blooms.
Most plants will release their aromas better when brushed against, touched or carried by the wind, so keep this is mind when choosing planting positions.
Another good tip is to plant your herbs close to your house. You’ll be able to enjoy their fragrance from the kitchen, and it’s easy to nip outside and retrieve the herb you require when cooking.
Some of the best plants to choose for a truly fragranced garden include:
Lavender
This is the quintessential fragranced plant – with a soothing scent, and fantastic blue-violet flowers. In fact, lavender oil is a common ingredient in soaps, shampoos and sachets for scenting clothes thanks to its pleasing aroma. Researchers have even discovered that lavender produces slight calming, soothing and sedative effects when its scent is inhaled.
There are several varieties of lavender so make sure you choose one that’s right for your climate.
Rose
“Every garden should have at least one rose,” says Tankersley. “They’re not as fussy as many people believe, and many newer roses also are highly selected for insect and disease resistance.” When selecting a plant, read the tags and look for those that specifically state that they’re scented, as some types have been bred more for form than fragrance. Blooms best in full sun.
Sometimes called summer lilac, this sturdy little shrub in shades of white, pink, or purple withstands drought, blooms all season long, and attracts pollinators. They’re now available in dwarf varieties so they won’t overtake your garden, and newer types are not invasive. Set in borders or as mass plantings. Likes full sun.
Peony
This shrubby perennial plant with glossy dark green foliage may require staking to keep its heavy blooms from drooping, but their lush, exuberant flowers are worth a tiny bit of extra work. Don’t plant too deep or they won’t bloom. The ants which visit the flowers aren’t pests; they’re simply sipping the nectar, says Tankersley. Prefers full sun.
Jasmine
To enjoy a truly relaxing backyard experience, a jasmine plant or two is a must! has found that the sweet smell of jasmine is as good as valium at calming the nerves…and with none of the side effects! It’s also an important ingredient in the perfume industry, with 83% of all women’s perfumes containing the fragrance.
Chamomile
This aromatic herb doesn’t just make a soothing herbal tea, it’s also a pleasure to look at (and smell) in the garden. With small, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers and white petals, both the Roman and German varieties like cool conditions, partial shade and dry soil.
Once established, it requires little effort – chamomile is drought tolerant and fairly immune to most garden pests thanks to its strong yet relaxing scent.
Thyme
This small, perennial shrub is both pretty and functional, thanks to its light purple to pink flowers and pleasant, pungent, clover-like flavor and smell. While there are over fifty varieties of thyme, English thyme is used most often in cooking.
Thyme does best in loamy or sandy soil, and in full or partial sun. Because the seeds germinate unevenly, starting with a seedling is a good idea. If you practice companion planting, be sure to plant your thyme near cabbage.
