Grow a Variety of Scented Flower Gardens
Plant Fragrant Plants for Butterflies or Shaded Gardens
Jul 3, 2008
Here are some plants with fragrant flowers and leaves to grow in a scented flower garden.
Shade Gardens with Fragrance
Do not overlook foliage plants usually found in shady gardens when planning a scented garden. Some big leaved plants, like these Hostas, have surprisingly aromatic blooms. A hosta’s tubular shaped flower will attract hummingbirds.
- ‘Aphrodite’ – A plant with very shiny, wavy green leaves is 15-18” tall requiring 24” spacing. This hosta prefers shade but tolerates morning sun in northern climates. The fragrant double white flowers bloom in late summer. Hosta ‘Venus’ is a sport of Aphrodite, also with fragrant white flowers.
- ‘Diana Remembered’ – Named to honor Princess Diana, this hosta has broad ovate, puckered leaves. The blue and green variegation has creamy white leaf margins. Plant grows 1-2’ high and wide. Plant this hosta were it will receive part to full shade. The showy tubular white flowers bloom in June and July.
- ‘Fragrant Bouquet’ – The 1998 Hosta of the Year, this plant has a green over yellow corrugated leaf. The plant is 18-28” high with spacing 24-26” wide. For success, plant in part sun or part shade. The fragrant white flowers appear in late summer.
- ‘Stained Glass’ – A hosta with large leaves in chartreuse color with green margins. A short plant at 10-18” high but has a spread of 26-48” wide. Grow in part sun or part shade. The scented white flowers bloom in late summer.
Butterfly Flowers with Scented Leaves
Grow mint plants, from the Lamiaceae family, to create a scented garden in the sun. Plant catmint and lavender along walkways where leaves are liable to receive a casual brush, releasing a sweet aroma into the air. These plants will attract pollinators, like butterflies and honey bees, in any garden.
Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ is a catmint. The plant’s size is 30” tall spreading 36” wide. The blue and violet colored flowers contrast well against the grayish green foliage and pairs well with yellow perennial flowers. Nepeta grows best in full sun and dry conditions. Pink roses under-planted with nepeta create a garden for all the senses.
Another mint family plant is lavender. Lavandula augustifolia ‘Lady Lavender’ is a plant with a height of 10-12” and 10 – 14” wide. These lavenders definitely love full sun but require excellent drainage to survive over wintering in northern climates. The deep blue flowers should be deadheaded to encourage reblooming. Prune lavender plants in spring and hard prune every three years to develop healthy plants.
Rose Gardens
Roses are the most popular flowers found in a scented garden. But beware; some roses with beautiful blooms and clever names are without a trace of fragrance. Search for scented roses at botanical gardens and collect these plant ideas to grow at home.
The 2009 Hosta of the Year, ‘Earth Angel,’ is not known for its fragrant flowers. But, some gardeners collect hostas for their variety of foliage. Creating a woodland garden is easy with so many choices.
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