Let your garden bloom and spread its fragrance

Fragrant flowers or plants are very often underutilized in our garden-designing models. Fragrances are one of those things in life that help us make connections to certain memories from the past. Scents improve our moods and may stimulate the brain, influencing our emotional health.


Lavender

The first flower that comes to mind when thinking of a fragrant plant is Jasmine, or perhaps a rose, although not all roses are fragrant these days. In our era, gardens are seemingly designed with the architecture and the drought in mind. This is necessary, of course. Yet taking into consideration the wonderful effects of fragrant flowers and shrubs on your brain, it is worthwhile incorporating plants for the sake of their fragrance.


Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow

Flowers naturally smell wonder-ful, but many groundcovers or shrubs do too, although one must physically touch or rub them between the fingers to get the fragrance released. Walking over Corsica Mint or Citrus Thyme planted between the stepping stones in your entrance path can provide that burst of mint and citrus aromas. Brushing against other shrubs such as Lemon Verbena will ensure a crisp citrus fragrance on your way to the front door.


Honeysuckle

It is true that most fragrant plants are classified under herbs, that’s why they are so well known and used to produce many fragrant perfumes, linen sprays, etc. Good examples of these are Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, Mint, Lemon Verbena, scented Geraniums, Citrus and Roses. Most of these also have culinary uses in the kitchen.

Some exotic aromatic plants
Lavandula species (Lavenders)
Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)
Aloysia triphylla (Lemon Verbena)
Melissa Officinalis (Mint)
Thymus species (Thymes)
Origanum vulgare (Origanum)
Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)
Borago officinalis (Borage)
Mentha pulegium (Pennyroyal)
Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
Roses
Gardenia thunbergia (Katjiepiering)
Jasminum spp. (Jasmine)
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine)
Brunfelsia pauciflora (Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow)

Some Southern African indigenous aromatics
Buddleja saligna/B. salviifolia (Butterfly bush)
Pelargonium species
Eriocephalus africanus (Wild Rosemary)
Plectranthus species
Orthosiphon labiatus now Ocimum labiatus (Pienk salie)
Salvia spp. (Wild Sage)
Anisodontea scabrosa (Pink Mallow)
Lonicera japonica (Honeysuckle)

When designing with aromatic plants, the focus surely would be the front garden and the pathway to the front door to have your guests sniffing the air with joy.


Butterfly bush

The second important space is the outside entertaining area to set the moods of your guests for an unforgettable evening with friends in the garden.


Lemon Verbena

Lastly, don’t forget yourself. Plant the aromatics for your own sanity and mood when working or relaxing in your garden.

---

Pupkewitz Megabuild:
Eugene le Roux
Horticulturist
Cell: 081 124 6965