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More Low Water Landscaping Tips from The Yard Fairy

san diego landscaping

Landscaping with Fragrant Plants

fragrant plants in your landscape While a beautiful garden is a treasure within itself, a garden that wafts fragrance about is a real gem. Luckily, cost and labor are minimal if you'd like to add a new dimension to your summer garden in the form of scent. In addition, plants with fragrance attracts bird and pollinators and are often considered to work as aromatherapy.

Where can I put fragrant plants?

Like any plant, those with fragrance have their specific needs whether it is less sun or more shade or even more water. But when planting fragrant plants around the garden it is important to consider a few factors. One of the biggest misconceptions out there is that fragrant flowers should be placed where it is windy in the garden, the assumption being that winds disperse the scent more thoroughly. This, however, is highly advised against; fragrance is actually lost because of the wind. With this in mind, fragrant plants should be planted in the most wind-resistant spot on the property. You might try planting behind a row of shrubs or along the side of the house. If you live on a windy hill like many do, then consider placing fragrant plants on only one side of the house, like the front yard, where there is the least amount of wind.

If wind isn't an issue in your garden, then plant anywhere you would like to. Place fragrant plants near your garden's patio or deck. Any place that you often sit in your garden for extended periods of time is a good spot. If your backyard isn't that big or has no real room to place any more plants, then a window box with fragrant plants near a frequently open window works nicely as well. A trellis, pergola, or arbor lends visual appeal and these are frequently recommended for growing fragrant plants on. Any of these types of garden structures brings the plants closer to the people and looks good in a front yard or as a shade structure in the back yard.

Fragrant plants do not always bloom during the day; there are a few types such as moon flowers that bloom in the evening. Night blooming simply means the flowers of the plant open upon once twilight approaches and release their fragrance to the night air. If you are thinking of creating a night garden then do please consider adding fragrant night blooming flowers, as they add to the evening ambience!

What types of fragrant plants are there?

There is at least one fragrant plant for every type of plant out there - herbs, perennials, shrubs, trees, vines, or water plants. Of course, with all the varieties, sometimes it's difficult to know which plant is most or least fragrant. The Yard Fairy suggests selecting plants that are not hybrids since the process to breed such plants often results in the lessening of the plant's fragrance. Of course, every gardener has their personal preference so consider smelling the plant before actually buying it. Even if a plant might seem pleasant at the time, it could also prove too overwhelming - for example, gardenia, jasmine, and lilac. But all fragrant plants should be purchased and planted in moderation.

Try the below selections if you're looking to add fragrance to your yard. Keep in mind that herbs also work well as aromatherapy!