A well-designed landscape is a feast for the eyes but how does it smell? Research has been done to measure the effect of scents on our physical and emotional state. The findings reinforce the stress-relief claims of aromatherapy products in the marketplace and explain the explosive growth of the scent industry.
The Research
According to an article in the Oxford University Press,
“The association of fragrance and emotion is not an invention of poets or perfume-makers. Laboratory measurements have shown that scent has the power to relax muscles and reduce the physiological effect of stressors.” —Oxford University Press
If you question the power of scent, in an experiment in a Las Vegas casino, the amount of money gambled in a slot machine increased by over 45% when the site was odorized with a pleasant aroma!
Scent in the Landscaping
Scents are often derived from oils within plant material. While synthetic scents also exist, let’s get the source for the purest scents and memories to come. A well-designed landscape is planted with plants that produce flowers in a progression. Visually it is great to have a succession of flowers; there is always something in bloom. It is also good that the fragrances arrive at different times so as to be enjoyed one at a time instead of competing with one another.
Good Garden Scents
Here is a list of plants that smell great but smell them for yourself, your nose knows!
Hyacinths – Early Spring
Koreanspice Viburnum – Early Spring
Lily of the Valley – Early to Mid-Spring
Lilac – Mid-Spring
Catmint – Mid-Spring through Summer
Honeysuckle – Mid Spring to Early Summer
Roses – Early Summer through Late Summer
Lavender – Mid Summer
Butterfly Bush – Mid summer
Whether you embrace the idea of aromatherapy or not, just take some time to “smell the roses”.
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