There are many reasons to include shrubs in a landscape. Some choose to put them in for their winter foliage, some for their springtime flowering, and others for their use as a living fence. There are also shrubs that can really give you an aromatic hint of freshness in your garden or landscape, whether you need a smaller shrub or a larger one. These four native shrubs are all United States indigenous and will give the area a bit of scent.
Bottlebrush Buckeye
The Bottlebrush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) has four petal white blooms sitting around a shrub that will get around six to twelve feet in height. It grows best in shady spots in the landscape. This will give off the hint of honey throughout the garden spot. It is a member of the horse chestnut family of plants and was at one time used as a colic remedy.
Eastern Sweetshrub
The Eastern Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) has rust colored flowers in Spring and the shrub will get from four to eight feet tall. It will grow well in shady spots having a loose shape. This shrub will have spicy scented flowers and fragrant leaves when crushed. It is a member of the Strawberry shrub family of plants and can make a big hit in homemade potpourri.
Common Spicebush
The Common Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) has greenish yellow flowers in the very early Spring and gets to a height of eight feet. It has spicy scented leaves when they are crushed and the fruits (which are red in color) have a light pepper scent. It is a member of the Laurel family of plants and has been a substitute for allspice when the fruits are dried and powdered.
Wax Myrtle
The Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera) has a spread of ten feet and a height of twenty to thirty feet. It is an exceptionally fast growing plant with a preference of full sun or partial shade. It is a hardy drought tolerant shrub. The aroma of a wax myrtle smells faintly of lavender. It is a member of the Bayberry family of plants and is one to bring in birds for the seeds it produces.
Whether the landscape needs a smaller shrub like the Eastern Sweetshrub or a larger one like the Wax Myrtle, all of these native plants will give a fabulous smell when the wind blows. Spicy, sweet, peppery, or herbal; there is a multitude of different choices to pick from this roundup of shrubs.
This article appeared Jan. 1, 2009 on Suite 101.