We spend a lot of time ensuring that the colors in our yard complement one another; that our mulch is uniform; and our trees offer plenty of shade and privacy. We mow and plant and toil over the details, but one of the details we may be overlooking is whether our garden is maximizing its potential for fragrance.

Isn’t that why we love flowers in the first place? The sweet-smelling possibilities from our floral landscaping go well beyond the basic rose bush. So go on and grow roses, but also consider other endless aromatic options – from blooms to foliage, seeds to bark.

Location is everything
Focus on your olfactory senses, and then place your fragrant plants where you can appreciate them. Why plant a sweet-smelling lilac bush at the far end of your yard? According to Goldie Ludovici, a landscape architect and urban planner in Columbus, there are certain rules of (green) thumb to follow when choosing where to plant for fragrance purposes:

1. If you can deal with nature/critters (especially birds and bees), then plant close to the house because you’ll be able to smell the blooms inside, too. Create a welcoming path along your entryway and plant near windows.

2. Heat from walls, sidewalks and other hardscape areas will intensify the aroma (and stretch your dollar!)

3. The most ideal spots for fragrant plants include courtyards or enclosed spaces, as they “trap” and amplify the scents. Avoid planting in the middle of your yard (it clutters up the space).

Making sense of scents
There are thousands of options when planting for fragrance – different varieties of shrubs, perennials, annuals, trees, vines and herbs. Some of the most popular for this region (across the seasons) include the following:

Shrubs
Lilac – A garden must-have. This shrub brings many blooms if well-trimmed, and lilacs are typically low-maintenance and emanate many fond, unforgettable scents that could fill up an entire house.

Roses – Embrace the most pleasantly familiar smell of them all. Remember: A rose by any other name would not smell as sweet. They’re high maintenance – requiring specific soil, irrigation, spacing and sunlight efforts – but most agree that it’s well worth it.

Butterfly Bush – Few species bring as much life to your garden as an easy-to-grow butterfly bush, with a pleasurable honey-like scent that woos butterflies, ladybugs, bees and hummingbirds all summer long.

Perennials
Peony – Peonies have a subtle, classic scent, complemented perfectly by late spring breezes, and are popular for their colorful blooms. They also boast welcomed longevity. There are many varieties, however, some of which are not fragrant. For a description of each, visit www.peonies.org.

Lily-of-the-Valley – So sweetly scented is this species, it is grown specifically for its scented flowers. However, it’s also known to spread uncontrollably over a wide area and can be difficult to contain. You decide if the pros outweigh the cons.

Iris – Even if the scent of an iris isn’t your favorite, consider planting it simply for its colorful flowers. Chances are, however, you’ll find it both sweet-smelling and aesthetic, as the fragrant compounds are commonly used in the perfume industry. Unusually, even iris hybrids maintain their scent.

Annuals and Bulbs
Pansy – A watercolor painting staple thanks to its sheer beauty, the pansy is a bit high-maintenance, but emits a delicate, perfume-like aroma, particularly at early morning and dusk.

Hyacinth – The hyacinth boasts a single shaft of rich, fragrant flowers in a rainbow of colors.

Daffodil – Most varieties are beautifully, yet subtly, fragrant with a crisp, clean scent.

Herbs/Ground Cover
Lavender - How about experiencing a whiff of English lavender herb each morning? The use of lavender in potpourri outlines its olfactory powers.

Catmint – The family cat loves this particular species for a reason: its stimulating scent. It will conjure up the same sharp, dramatic effect in your yard. It’s also known to repel mosquitoes and other insects.

Sage – Sage gives off a strong and spicy scent that’s an undeniably fragrant addition to your yard. Of note, the smell gets stronger when wet.

Thyme – Frequently used as ground cover because stepping on it triggers its fragrant properties (note: most herbs need to be rubbed to release their potent oils). Different varieties give off an array of scents, from a spicy-patchouli to a tangy lemon blend.

Seasonal transcendence
Consider extending your efforts throughout all four seasons. Summer blooms are lovely, but why deprive your senses the rest of the year? According to Ludovici, Korean Spice Viburnum – one of her favorite shrubs because of its smell – has a multi-seasonal appeal, as it is textured.

Also, a witch hazel shrub or Russian sage perennial can really magnify the familiar smells of autumn, as can plants that emit a spicy-fruity or earthy scent. Try chrysanthemums or pansies.

In the winter, witch hazel shrubs brighten up the otherwise dormant senses. Of course, evergreens – pines or junipers – are the season’s staple. Also, try some boxwood (which are essentially evergreen shrubs) or bayberry (spicy-fruity).

A good rule of thumb is to try variations. Relying on only one aroma will not only become redundant, it will take the fun and novelty out of the space. However, don’t overdo it. Too many fragrant distractions can be similar to walking down the perfume aisle of a department store – putrid and headache-inducing.

Flowers provide eye and nose candy unlike anything else. Turn your yard into a total sensory experience.

Save the Date!
Franklin Park Conservatory’s Annual Plant Sale is from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., May 10 and 11.