A rose by any other name might smell sweet, but what about those ornamentals or flowers with odors that can knock a buzzard off road kill?
“There really aren’t that many bad-smelling flowers used in gardens,” said Robert Berghage, associate professor of horticulture who oversees Penn State’s trial gardens. “Most flowers have little or no scent, and those that do, usually smell sweet. But there are a few that can offend some people’s sense of smell.”
Among those with overwhelming aromas: marigolds, geraniums, lilies, alyssum, petunias and daisies.
* Marigolds: These brightly colored annuals are extremely popular bedding plants--at least from a distance, according to Berghage; Robert Nuss, Penn State professor of ornamental horticulture; and Jay Holcomb, professor of floriculture.
“They have an overpowering musky smell like wet hay or straw,” Berghage said. “It’s particularly strong when marigolds are cut and brought indoors.”
* Geraniums: Nuss said many gardeners find its earthy smell offensive. “If you’re in a dark room, you can definitely find the geranium,” he said.
* Lily: “The lily has an overpowering perfume smell, although some types smell stronger than others,” Berghage said. “The smell of a lily in a small room often is enough to bring tears to my eyes.”
* Alyssum: “This flower has a very sweet smell that is overpowering when planted in large groupings,” Berghage said.
* Petunia: These plants have an earthy smell.
* Daisy (chrysanthemum): “Most daisies have a mildly earthy smell, but some have a scent mildly reminiscent of cow manure,” Berghage said.
* Wayfaring tree (Viburnam lantana): “The flowers on this shrub are small and white, but born in clusters that are very attractive,” Holcomb said. “I once made a table arrangement using these flowers and regretted using it as a cut flower. The smell is hard to describe, but it was offensive.”
* Tree of Heaven: Imported from an island off China, this tree is an invasive species that drives out native trees.
“The odor released by the tree when it is disturbed smells like a skunk to me,” Nuss said.
* Ginkgo tree: The fruit of the female ginkgo tree exudes odors after it has fallen. The smell is similar to sewage or related material.
“You don’t want to be anywhere around this tree when that fruit hits the ground,” Nuss said.
* Carrion plants: This is a term for several varieties of flowers--mostly tropical species that don’t grow well in outdoor gardens--that release odors similar to rotting flesh.
“The flower attracts flies, which help the plant pollinate,” Nuss said. “One plant in this group is called the ‘corpse flower.’ ”
Nuss said gardeners can seek out ornamentals with pleasing smells, such as sassafras, spicebush, bayberry, some viburnams, witch hazel and magnolia.
FAQs
Calla Lilies
Callas are beautiful, dramatic blooms that are available in an unusual set of colours including black, maroon, red and white. Unlike its other scented cousins, calla lilies do not have any scent, hence they make a wonderful alternative to those who are inclined more towards the appearance of the flowers.
Do Daisy's have a scent? ›
In nature, daisies have a subtle, herbaceous green scent. But they look fresh, and cheerful, and uplift the spirit – and in fragrance marketing, that's can be a useful allusion. The daisy gets its name from the old English: 'day's eye' – because the flowers open up at dawn, and close at dusk.
What is the smell of the flower believed to do? ›
The primary functions of floral scent are to deter herbivores and especially folivorous insects (see Plant defense against herbivory), and to attract pollinators. Floral scent is one of the most important communication channels mediating plant-pollinator interactions, along with visual cues (flower color, shape, etc.).
What flowers do not have a strong scent? ›
Sunflowers, dahlias, hibiscus, tulips, calla lilies, Asiatic lilies, orchids, ranunculus, and poppies are all odorless flowers that those with a sensitive nose can enjoy.
What flower rarely blooms and stinks? ›
The corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) is the largest unbranched inflorescence in the plant kingdom, boasts a powerful stink, and blooms for just 2-3 days once every year or two.
What flower can not everyone smell? ›
The ability to smell Freesias for e.g. is genetically determined. Some people (like me) can't smell em at all.
Do lotus blossoms have a scent? ›
Depending on the species and variety, lotus blossoms can be very fragrant. The flowers of both species are fragrant, though the intensity and fragrance profile differs depending on the variety. Overall, lotus fragrance is generally described as "pleasant," "heady," "fruity," or "sweet."
Do tulips have a scent? ›
Tulips have a variety of floral scents. Although the charm of tulip is a variety of colours and shapes, there are a few fragrant cultivars. When you smell the tulip scent well, you can feel various scents such as citrus-like, honey-like, green-like.
What is the human smelling flower? ›
If you're not familiar with why the flower has its distinctive name – when the corpse flower unfurls, tiny male and female flowers at the base of its large central spike emit a putrid odor, akin to rotting meat and stinky laundry.
What is the world's smelly flower? ›
Titan Arum (Corpse Flower)
Native to the equatorial rainforest of Central Sumatra in Western Indonesia, the Titan Arum is considered to be the smelliest flower in the world! As the name suggests, this flower apparently smells like a rotting corpse.
The aroma of rosemary has been linked to improving mood, clearing the mind, relieving stress and lowering cortisol levels (including those with chronic anxiety or stress hormone imbalances). Rosemary is known to rapidly reduce cortisol levels by simply just smelling it - alleviating stress in the body.
What flower only smells at night? ›
Night-Blooming Jasmine (Tender Perennial)
Cestrum nocturnum's tubular flowers are tiny, but at night their perfume spreads 20 feet. The plant blooms from spring through fall, flourishes in containers, and is hardy to zone 8.
Which flower has no fragrance? ›
Anemones are smaller flowers are completely fragrance-free. With bold colors like bright red and deep purple, these blooms are a beautiful option for any allergy stricken flower lover.
What is the most shy flower? ›
Mimosa pudica, commonly known as the Shy Plant, is a sought-after addition to many houseplant collections due to the curious movement of its leaves.
What flowering plants have no scent? ›
difficulty with fragrances, here are some breathtaking blooms that are also scent-free:
- Anemones. Anemones are smaller flowers are completely fragrance-free. ...
- Calla Lilies. Calla lilies are very mysterious, yet graceful and dramatic blooms that are also fragrance-free. ...
- Ranunculus.
Dahlias. Dahlias are a common garden flower with an ornate, layered petal structure and no fragrance. The flowers grow naturally in frost-free climates and by seed in colder areas. The flowers range from 6 to 7 inches wide to just 1- or 2-inch wide blooms in a range of bright colors from purple to yellow to magenta.
Do some flowers not smell? ›
Wind-pollinated flowers, like those of many trees and grasses, don't produce a scent. Other flowers are pollinated by birds, bats, insects or even small rodents carrying the pollen from one flower to another. In these cases, the flowers might provide a little incentive.
Does hibiscus have smell? ›
While most hibiscus flowers have no scent, some have modest fragrance. Flower sizes range from a prim two inches to a flamboyant foot or more in diameter. A wonderful bonus to growing hibiscuses is that many of them attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
