Scented plants for your garden
We usually choose a plant for its aesthetics, but we can also choose it for its pleasant scent. In this blog, we will discover some of the popular scented plants in Quebec. We will also discuss their characteristics and growing requirements to help you choose the best plants for your own fragrant garden.
- Lilac (Syringa sp.)
The lilac is undoubtedly one of the most emblematic and fragrant plants of Quebec. There are many varieties of lilac with colors ranging from white to dark purple. The fragrance of lilac flowers is sweet and intoxicating, making it a popular choice for gardens.
Growth Requirements:
- Hardiness zone: 3 to 7
- Light : Full sun to half shade
- Watering: Medium, drought tolerant once established
Variety to discover: Bloomerang Dark Purple lilac, with a compact, rounded 5-foot habit, hardy in zone 3. It has the particularity of blooming twice, in spring and in the middle of summer.
- The rose (Rosa sp.)
Roses are classic, fragrant plants that add elegance and romance to any garden. There is a wide variety of roses, some of which are more fragrant than others.
Growth Requirements:
- Hardiness zone: 3 to 9, depending on the variety
- Light : Full sun
- Watering: Regular, especially during dry periods
Variety to discover: Rose 'At Last', for its beautiful light orange flowers and its increased resistance to diseases.
- The philadelphus (Philadelphus sp.)
Also known as the "Mexican Orange Blossom", Philadelphus is a deciduous shrub that produces beautiful clusters of white flowers in spring. Its fragrance is delicate and reminiscent of the orange blossom.
Growth Requirements:
- Hardiness zone: 4 to 8
- Light : Full sun to half shade
- Watering: Medium, drought tolerant once established
5.lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is a perennial herbaceous plant that produces spikes of highly fragrant purple or blue flowers. Lavender flowers are often used for their relaxing and soothing properties. Although lavender is not native to Quebec, some hardy varieties, such as 'Munstead' lavender, can grow in the province.
Growth Requirements:
- Hardiness zone: 4 to 9, depending on the variety
- Light : Full sun
- Watering: Low, drought tolerant once established
6. mugwort (Artemisa sp.)
The sagebrush has a fragrant foliage of a camphorated odor , it is besides used in perfumery.
Growth Requirements:
- Hardiness zone: 5 to 6, for perennials, some varieties are annual
- Light : Full sun
- Watering: Low, drought tolerant once established
7. The allyssum (Lobularia sp.)
Allyssum is a small, very fragrant, tapering annual with very delicate flowers. It can be found in all shades of pink or in white.
Growth Requirements:
- Hardiness zone: annual plant
- Light : Full sun to half shade
- Watering: Regular, especially during dry periods
8. The heliothrope(Heliotropium sp.)
A plant adored by butterflies, the heliothrope will charm you with its bewitching vanilla-like aromas. This annual resists well to the great heats without ever having the wilted air.
Growth Requirements:
- Hardiness zone: annual plant
- Light : Full sun to half shade
- Watering : Regular
Fragrant plants can transform an outdoor garden into a sensory and relaxing space. The plants mentioned in this article are all wonderful options for creating a fragrant garden. By choosing the right plants based on their growth requirements and hardiness zone, you can create a garden that not only provides visual beauty, but also a delicious and intoxicating scent.