Choosing plants with their lovely scents in mind
WE are naturally attracted to fragrances, especially from natural sources when entering a garden. Various flowers or plants can change moods with their natural perfumes. When planning the design of home gardens, we can also consider including such fragrant delights.
Those tender flowers in our garden can actually produce some of the most powerful perfumes, evoking memories or giving the sense of being on an exotic holiday. I’m sure we have visited a fragrant garden and sniffed the air to find the source of the sweet smells. These are much better than the scents found at malls selling the most expensive perfumes. Good selections
In home gardens, one of the best natural fragrances would be from the yellow frangipani (Plumeria rubra). Its lovely perfume will hang heavily in the air and with the help of a breeze flow into the home as well. Another fantastic characteristic with frangipani is its frequency in flowering. The flowers can also last for over one month.
Another wonderful choice would be the ever-flowering Rangoon vine (Combretum indicum), which is also known as drunken sailor. The pretty red and pink flowers produce the strongest fragrance in the evening when the air is heavy or damp. The scent is so strong that it will seem like the whole garden is full of its sweetness too.
How about the lovely gardenia? These flowers that bloom at the terminal ends of branches set against a stunning green background of foliage have an intoxicating scent. The white flowered Gardenia radicans is one of the hardiest and most reliable in garden settings. Besides the usual white, there is also a yellow variety, which actually has an even lovelier fragrance. The formation and shape of the tree can be pruned to a round bush to suit smaller home gardens. There are also dwarf varieties to suit those with less space to spare.
Some fragrant temperate flowers such as primrose can be grown in cooler areas. These come in colourful displays ideal for décor during festive seasons. Lowland planting is possible if the plants are given extra special care.
Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) is very familiar to us in Asia. This also comes in white and yellow varieties. The flower is similar to the magnolia – a tree that is also planted for its fragrance from the flowers. This large tree can reach a height of some 40 feet with a wide canopy. There are also smaller varieties that would better suit home gardens.
Another evening bloomer would be the moonflower (Ipomoea alba), which is perfect for gardeners who are away from home during the day. The big white trumpet-shaped flowers will only open in the evening to share their lovely scent. Imagine what a lovely welcome home that would be after a long day at work. Another benefit is that it is easy to grow and will thrive in our climate.
Stephanotis floribunda is another white-flowered fragrant plant. This tender climber is ideal for sheltered areas.
Ginger plants also have rich perfumes. There’s white ginger lily (Hedychium coronarium) – a traditional plant without any invasive characteristics. The yellow variety, Hedychium gardnerianum, tends to produce seeds prolifically, so can be rather invasive with aggressive colonising tendencies.
Of course we cannot discuss fragrant gardens without including roses, which have been an essential part of the perfume industry since time immemorial. However, we are limited here in the tropics as to the types of roses that we can grow. Roses tend to release their scents as the weather gets warmer.
Other favourite scented plants include Evening Primrose (Oenothera speciosa), Sweet Clematis (Clematis paniculata), Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis), viburnum, Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa), and Dianthus.
You could also add herbs such as mint, which will also fill the air with distinctive scents.
Whatever you choose, adding a fragrant plant to the garden will bring much delight so do give it a try.
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, do send me an email.
Happy gardening.