by High Country Gardens

What makes some plants fragrant, and others not?
Instinctively, when we see a beautiful flower, we lean over to sniff it hoping for a sweet scent. The natural perfume of plants is an attribute we gardeners are always searching for.
There are two types of scents to be found in plants;
- Fragrant flowers and plants are ones that release a scent into the air
- Aromatic plants release their scented oils when brushed, bent or crushed
Fragrant Flowers
Flowers that release scent often do so to attract pollinators. Many nocturnal blooming plants have strongly scented flowers that attract moths and other night-flying insects. A flower’s color is of no use to pollinators in the dark of night.

Aromatic Plants
Aromatic plants are those that have volatile oils in their leaves and stems. When brushed against or their foliage is bent or crushed, the scents are released. These types of plants are often cultivated for their essential oils. Culinary herbs like sage, thyme, rosemary and lavender are aromatic plants long associated with mankind. These and other aromatic plants use their aromatic oils as a defense against browsing animals, like deer and rabbits. Since plants are rooted in place and can’t run away for protection, they have enlisted the help of chemicals to provide them with some defense. These plants are a great choice for areas where deer and rabbits are a problem.
I've long had a great fondness for fragrant and aromatic plants. Salvia (Sage), Agastache (Hummingbird Mint), Lavandula (Lavender), Berlandiera (Chocolate Flower), Garden Phlox (Phlox), Pansies (Viola) and many others are planted in my gardens to enjoy their scents.

Here are my lists of favorites:
Fragrant flowers
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Cholcolate Flower (Berlandiera), Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculatat varieties), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea), Daffodils, Iris (Iris pallida Variegata), Fendler’s Barberry (Mahonia), Hyacinths and Tulips.
Aromatic plants
- Hummingbird Mint (Agastache), Sage (Salvia),
Rosemary (Rosmarinus),Lavender (Lavandula), Ornamental Onions (Allium), Beebalm (Monarda),Russian Sage (Perovskia), Sage (Salvia), Thyme (Thymus),Yarrow (Achillea), Hyssop (Hyssopus)
Asclepias incarnata ‚Rose‚ (Swamp Milkweed) is a showy pink blooming Asclepias species that is a food plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars and a nectar source for ad...
Learn MoreRose Swamp Milkweed Rose Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnataAs low as $13.99 Sale $12.59Per Plant - 5" Deep PotAsclepias incarnata 'Rose' (Swamp Milkweed) is a showy pink blooming Asclepias species that is a food plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars and a nectar source for adult butterflies. Also known as Swamp Milkweed, it grows best in moist or wet soils.Sedum telephium ‚Autumn Fire‚ (Stonecrop) is an improved form of Sedum ‚Autumn Joy‚ that is larger growing, has larger flower heads and is longer blooming. Th...
Learn MoreAutumn Fire Sedum Autumn Fire Sedum Sedum 'Autumn Fire'As low as $11.99Per Plant - 5" Deep PotSedum telephium 'Autumn Fire' (Stonecrop) is an improved form of Sedum 'Autumn Joy' that is larger growing, has larger flower heads and is longer blooming. The flat heads of rose-pink flowers appear in late summer. Leave the faded flowers on the plant for added winter interest.Verbena peruviana ‚Red Devil‚ (Perennial Verbena) is a perennial variety that grows as a groundcover and blooms all summer with a dazzling display of brilliant red flower...
Learn MoreRed Devil Perennial Verbena Red Devil Perennial Verbena Verbena peruvianaAs low as $11.99Per Plant - 5" Deep PotVerbena peruviana 'Red Devil' (Perennial Verbena) is a perennial variety that grows as a groundcover and blooms all summer with a dazzling display of brilliant red flowers. 3" tall x 15-18" wide.2-3„ tall x 18-24„ wide. Teucrium aroanium (Gray Creeping Germander) blooms with fragrant honey scented pink flowers in summer that are held over equally fragrant thin li...
Learn MoreGray Creeping Germander (Teucrium) Gray Creeping Germander (Teucrium) Teucrium aroaniumAs low as $9.34Per Plant - 2.5" Pot2-3" tall x 18-24" wide. Teucrium aroanium (Gray Creeping Germander) blooms with fragrant honey scented pink flowers in summer that are held over equally fragrant thin linear gray leaves. The plant is an excellent small scale groundcover for hot, sunny sites in well drained soil. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric).Caryopteris clandonensis ‚Dark Knight‚ (Bluebeard) blooms with a profusion of dark blue flowers in late summer when few other shrubs are flowering. Its modest size makes ...
Learn MoreDark Knight Caryopteris Dark Knight Caryopteris Caryopteris clandonensis 'Dark Knight'As low as $12.99 Sale $11.04Per Plant - 5" Deep PotCaryopteris clandonensis 'Dark Knight' (Bluebeard) blooms with a profusion of dark blue flowers in late summer when few other shrubs are flowering. Its modest size makes it very useful in smaller yards. A fantastic nectar source for bees and butterflies. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric).Chamaebatiaria millefolium (Fernbush) is a beautiful native shrub that brightens the garden in mid-summer with big clusters of bright white flowers. It also has attractive dried seed...
Learn MoreFernbush (Chamaebatiaria) Fernbush (Chamaebatiaria) Chamaebatiaria millefoliumAs low as $14.99 Sale $12.74Per Plant - 5" Deep PotChamaebatiaria millefolium (Fernbush) is a beautiful native shrub that brightens the garden in mid-summer with big clusters of bright white flowers. It also has attractive dried seed heads and olive-green foliage. Drought resistant perennial plant (xeric).Callirhoe involucrata (Poppy Mallow or Wine Cups) is a native wildflower that decorates the garden with a summer-long display of bright magenta-pink flowers. A sprawling grower, Call...
Learn MorePurple Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe) Purple Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe) Callirhoe involucrataAs low as $12.99Per Plant - 5" Deep PotCallirhoe involucrata (Poppy Mallow or Wine Cups) is a native wildflower that decorates the garden with a summer-long display of bright magenta-pink flowers. A sprawling grower, Callirhoe involucrata's long branches spread out across the ground to create a colorful mat of flowers and foliage. Drought resistant perennial plant (xeric).Lavandula angustifolia ‚Buena Vista‚ (English Lavender) has a compact form with deep blue bi-colored flower spikes. A hard-to-find, twice blooming cultivar flowers in lat...
Learn MoreBuena Vista English Lavender Buena Vista English Lavender Lavandula angustifolia 'Buena Vista'As low as $13.99 Sale $12.59Per Plant - 5" Deep PotLavandula angustifolia 'Buena Vista' (English Lavender) has a compact form with deep blue bi-colored flower spikes. A hard-to-find, twice blooming cultivar flowers in late spring and again in September. Sweetly fragrant flowers and foliage. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric).
Text and Photos by Founder and Chief Horticulturist David Salman.
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