Fragrant native plants
Fragrant plants add a whole other dimension to your garden! Some will scent the air. Others require you to get your nose up to them to appreciate them. This list is not exhaustive.
Trees
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Amelanchier arborea (Serviceberry)
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Chionanthus virginicus (Fringetree) - smells like beautiful lipstick
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Cornus alternifolia (Pagoda Dogwood)
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Crataegus crus-galli (Cockspur Hawthorn)
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Ilex opaca (American Holly) - fills the air with sweetness for several weeks
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Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire) - ‘Scentlandia’ cultivar is especially fragrant.
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Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar)
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Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay Magnolia) - Delicious lemony-rose scent
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Malus coronaria (Sweet Crabapple)
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Ptelea trifoliata (Hop Tree)
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Prunus americana (Wild Plum)
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Robinia pseudoacacia (Black Locust) - often described as "ambrosial!"
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Sassafras albidum (Sassafras) - Leaves (when crushed) & roots
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Tilia americana (Basswood)
Shrubs
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Cephalanthus occidentalis (Buttonbush)
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Clethra alnifolia (Sweet Pepperbush)
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Comptonia peregrina (Sweet Fern)
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Cornus amomum (Silky Dogwood)
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Eubotrys racemosus (Fetterbush)
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Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel)
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Lindera benzoin (Spicebush) - the fruit has a wonderful, spicy smell
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Rhododendron periclymenoides (Pinxter Azalea)
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Rhododendron arborescens (Sweet Azalea)
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Rhododendron prinophyllum (Early Azalea)
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Rhododendron viscosum (Swamp Azalea)
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Rhus aromatica (Fragrant Sumac)
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Rosa carolina (Carolina Rose)
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Rosa palustris (Swamp Rose)
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Staphylea trifolia (Bladdernut)
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Sambucus canadensis (Common Elderberry) Lightly fragrant
American Holly (Ilex opaca)
Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana
Perennials
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Actaea racemosa (Black Cohosh) - sweet but barnlike scent
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Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed)
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Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) - intoxicating scent fills the air
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Eupatorium perfoliatum (Common Boneset) - Can be used as a cut flower.
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Euonymus americana (Strawberry Bush)
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Eutrochium species (Joe Pye Weed)
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Iris virginica (Southern Blue Flag)
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Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebell)
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Monarda punctata (Spotted Beebalm)
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Monarda didyma (Beebalm) - smells like oregano
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Mondarda fistulosa (Bergamot) - smells like Earl Gray tea
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Nymphaea odorata (Water Lily)
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Packera aurea (Golden Ragwort)
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Phlox maculata (Meadow Phlox)
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Phlox pilosa (Downy Phlox)
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Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox) - Can be used as a cut flower.
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Phlox stolonifera (Creeping Phlox)
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Pycnanthemum muticum and tenuifolium (Mountain Mint) - Fragrant leaves give off scent as you brush by them. Can be used as a cut flower.
Pinxter Azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides)
Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Ferns
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Dennstaedtiaa punctilobula (Hay-Scented Fern) - smells like hay in the fall as it turns gold
Vines
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Clematis virginiana (Virgin’s Bower)
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Passiflora incarnata (Purple Passion Flower)
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Wisteria frutescens (American Wisteria)
Find native plants
Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana)