Sweet woodruff and boxwood furnish other examples of fragrant foliage. Woodruff leaves smell of sweet hay and vanilla. In Germany, woodruff leaves are steeped in wine to concoct the May Bowl. Planted near a terrace or window, this plant can provide a healthy restorative to the returning commuter. We value bulbs for the splash of color they provide in early spring, but many such as hyacinths, daffodils and some tulips are finely perfumed as well.
Lilies provide a heady fragrance throughout the summer.
Planning and Planting A fragrance garden is best suited to a sunny, open site, although the rhododendrons and hostas seen here will thrive in a shady corner. Note the role that architectural elements can play in determining a garden's mood. Both the brick wall and lattice fence serve the purpose of defining boundaries, but the former sets a tone of formal solidity, while the latter strikes a more delicate note. The gazebo, besides providing shade, also lends this garden an air of old-fashioned elegance. To enjoy more fragrant plants visit the Nancy Bryan Luce Herb Garden.