Scent in the Garden-

Fragrance Adds Another Dimension to the Landscape and Outdoor Living

Placed under bedroom windows, beside our back porches or decks, or in movable terracotta pots, scented plants perfume our days and gently remind us of their presence even when we can not see them. It is hard to imagine a more powerful element in the landscape than fragrance, yet it is one that is often overlooked. The palette of fragrance available to the gardener ranges from sweet to spicy, subtle to bold. This year give your garden an added division by planting scented shrubs, perennials and herbs. We've included a short list of plants to get you started.

Shrubs: Clethra alnifolia, or the sweet pepper bush, tolerates wet soil, and is suitable for woodland gardens. It is a valuable late-summer flowering shrub with a sweet, viburnum-like scent. Viburnums, as a group, give the garden some of its most fabulous scents. Not all are fragrant, so look for the sweetly scented V.xburkwoodii, V.xcarlcephalum, and V.x carlesi.

For the more sophisticated gardener, consider Daphne odora 'aureomarginata'. The hardy form of D.odora, this shrub has attractive goldedged foliage and pinky purple star-like flowers. One needs patience till well established, but the fragrance is heady and worth the wait.

Perennials: The options are plentiful-from the delicately scented Convallaria or lily of the valley, which blooms in late spring; to the summer flush of sweet smelling Lilium varieties; to some truly unusual plants like the gas plant (Dictamnus albus) . perennials offer a wide range of blooming times, flower colors, and textures, making them a perfect choice for the fragrant garden.

Herbs: A favorite of cooks and crafters, herbs are an important element of any scented garden. There are dozens of varieties to choose from. Some of the most fragrant and popular include monarda, mints, lavenders and rosemary.

This season, make your gardens a delight to the nose as well as the eye with beautifully fragrant plants and shrubs.

What's New in the Bayview Greenhouse We'd like to introduce you to a new in-house design service - We Plan, You Plant. learn more >>