I'm looking to have an entire side of my garden dedicated to the strongest smelling plants available (good smells) and I was curious if anyone had any ideas for some plants I might want to try. I live in Tempe, Arizona (FYI) A lot of dry heat! Let me know if you have any suggestions.
I love the smell of french lavender, Lavandula dentata. Smells much better than any of the others I have grown. I think the plant and flower are nice also.
I grow the perennial tagetes marigold. It is just coming into bloom here in West Tennessee. Foilage and flowers exude a very spicy scent all summer. It is also very drought resistant. 8)
I'm not sure what works in your zone, but some of my best smelling blooms here in zone 5 are Lilac, Rose, Lavender, Brugmansia, 4 O'clocks, and Peony.
Ipomoea alba (Moonflower, Moon Vine) Nicotiana obtusifolia Lobularia maritima (Sweet Alyssum) Ligustrum vulgare (Wild Privet) Also, if you will go to http://www.gardenstew.com/plantstew/ click on Advanced Search, then find Fragrant under the Plant Types section and search you will find about 150 plants that you can choose from.
Many spicies and herbs smell great. I would recommend also red roses. And if you want a tree - try a quince. From the flowers try hyacinth.
The White Butterfly Ginger that I have smells heavenly! Don't know how well it'll do in your climate however.
Spicy Thai Basil! It smells magnificent, like cinnamon and cloves, but it's best if you keep it from flowering by pinching off new buds frequently.
The one plant in my garden whose aroma out performs the gardener's are Ginger Lilies. Very strong and lovely aroma!
I have a tender tree/bush called Night Blooming Jessamine. It doesn't look like much, but when planted near an open window...ahhh...in the evening when the small tubular flowers open...it is divine. I bring the mother plant in every year. Then I take cuttings which root up easily and they grow large enough to bloom by mid-summer. I've only seen it to buy one time...if you can...try it. Very fast growing.
