Ask a Master Gardener: “SCENTSATIONAL” TREES AND SHRUBS

By: Dr. Judy Stout, Mobile County Master Gardener, www.mobilecountymastergardeners.org 

Mock Orange, Philadelphus Coronarius by Dr. Judy Stout

While strolling, have you suddenly been overwhelmed by an unexpected, strong, pleasant fragrance and wondered where it came from?  Did it bring back memories?   

When planning our home landscape and plant purchases, we often consider color, size, and whether plants are evergreen or deciduous, forgetting to include fragrance.  Studies have shown that the sense of smell is intricately connected to our emotions, provoking long forgotten memories.  Elevate the overall impact of your garden by adding olfactory appeal. 

Below are a few suggestions of aromatic trees and shrubs suitable for Zone 8.  These lists are not comprehensive and do not include fragrant roses, annuals, herbaceous perennials or vines. That will have to wait for another day! 

Further research on plant growth, cultivation requirements and other features should be combined with fragrance characteristics to help you select the perfect plant(s) to enhance the sensory experience in your garden.  Also note that not all cultivars or varieties of a species may have retained scent production.  So, seek that information before purchasing.

Fragrance in Plants

Scent attracts potential pollinators to flowers.  Fragrance intensity signals to pollinators that nectar or ripe pollen is available, conserving their search energy.  Scientists have identified over 1,700 scent compounds produced in flower petals, over 400 in roses alone! Scent molecules are volatized and released from the petals into the atmosphere and may be detected over a kilometer away.

Be aware that the timing of scent release may also be different depending on the type of typical pollinator: bee or butterfly attractants are highest during the day, but highest during the nighttime for white moths and bats. Consequently, your prize fragrant plants may be in bloom but may not always be scented.  Plant species pollinated by bees and flies have sweet scents and those pollinated by beetles have strong musty, spicy, or fruity odors.  Flowers that use fragrance to attract pollinators are generally not spectacular in appearance, most often white or other drab colors.

Shrubs

Gardenia – Gardenia jasminoides

Mock Orange – Philadelphus coronarius (hybrid cultivars only, e.g., X virginialis ‘Snow White)

Bridal Wreath – Spirea prunifolia

Summersweet – Clethra alnifolia (especially ‘Ruby Spice’ and ‘Vanilla Spice’)

Mountain Laurel – Kalmia latifolia

Oakleaf Hydrangea – Hydrangea quercifolia

Sweet Shrub (Carolina Allspice) -Calycanthus floridus

Alabama azalea – Rhododrendron alabamensense

Sweet azalea (Smooth azalea) – Rhododendron arborescens

Witch Alder – Fothergilla milleri ‘Redneck Nation’

Sweetspire – Itea  virginica

Camellia hybrids 'High Fragrance' and ‘Scentuous’

Agarista populifolia  - Florida leucothoe

Buttonbush – Cephalanthus occidentalis

TREES – (although flowers may be quite attractive, flowers on mature trees may not be easily seen but the widespread aroma remains!)

Fringe Tree (Grancy Greybeard) - Chionanthus virginicus

Tea Olive (sweet Olive) – Osmanthus fragrans 'Fodingzhu'

Banana Shrub – Michella figo (var. skinneriana ‘Improved Banana Shrub’)

Meyer Lemon – Citrus  meyeri

Oranges

Southern Magnolia – Magnolia grandiflora

Sweet Bay Magnolia – Magnolia virginiana

Star Magnolia – Magnolia stellata (‘Royal Star’)

Saucer Magnolia – Magnolia (X ‘Jane’)

Sweet Shrub, Calycanthus floridus by Dr. Judy Stout

Star Magnolia, Magnolia stellata by Dr. Judy Stout

Fringe Tree by Dr. Judy Stout

Camellia, 'Scentuous' by Dr. Judy Stout

Oakleaf Hydrangea,Hydrangea quercifolia by Dr. Judy Stout