If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is scent. Fragrances you find appealing may be the worst smells ever to someone else. And some people simply are super-sensitive to strong scents of any sort.
We’re not talking roses here, which most people agree have a lovely fragrance. We mean garden plants that are perceived as smelly by most people. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plant them at all; some of these annuals, perennials and shrubs add plenty of color and personality to your garden. Plus, their smelliness usually has a purpose: To attract pollinators or repel hungry garden visitors such as deer and rodents.
Armed with this knowledge, you can make a better decision about placement of these smelly plants in your garden. For example, an odiferous plant might not be ideal near your front door or your patio seating area, but it’s just fine at the back or side of your property. It may also be ideal in a mixed border that deer like to browse because its stinkiness may prevent it from being eaten. In addition, new cultivars of some of these plants have been developed to reduce unpleasant traits like smelliness, so that you can enjoy their beauty without the stench.