9 Best-Smelling Spring Flowers
for Mountain Landscapes
by Lisa Watters-Lain, Arizona’s garden gal
D
ue to the genetic manipulation that has gone into their creation, many modern flowers no longer are fragrant. The plants have been bred to be full and bushy, disease resistant or perpetually blooming, and these virtues often come at the sacrifice of scent. Heirloom flowers are usually the best bet for a scented garden. If you’d like to include some fragrance in your garden, here are tips for getting the most from your scented flowers. Plant them where you’ll be able to enjoy their fragrances most frequently: alongside paths, patios, near windows that can be opened and in containers by doorways. Plants smell their best early in the morning and at dusk. Plant in large clumps for the most substantial impact. The scent of flowers will dissipate if they are planted in wide open, windy areas. Spread fragrant plants throughout the yard so different scents don’t compete with each other. Some plants are most fragrant in the evening. Plant them near your dining/entertaining areas. Plants with fragrant leaves are even more potent when the leaves are crushed underfoot. Look for fragrant ground covers and lawn alternatives that can withstand foot traffic. Here are the top-scented local plants known for their unique scents. They are listed by general seasons but may bloom earlier or later in individual gardens. No. 1 Carnation (Dianthus) Summer Blooming Perennial The spicy scent of carnations is one of the most familiar flower fragrances. Make sure you purchase a variety that says explicitly it is fragrant because many have been bred for larger flowers and longer blooms but have little to no scent left. No. 2 Daphne (Daphne cneorum) Spring Blooming Perennial Daphne is a beautiful knee-high shrub with glossy green leaves and flowers with a true perfume quality scent that is a mix of sweet florals and earthy undertones. It is easily grown in shady mountain gardens and retains its green leaves right through winter.
Gardenia 200 A NNUA L SHOWC A SE EDITI ON 2020
No. 3 Fragrant Columbine (Aquilegia) Spring Blooming Perennial Aquilegia fragrans is slightly different from the more common garden columbines, although they are almost as easy to grow. They have creamy