Enhance the Pleasant Aroma of Your Poolside - 5 Expert-Endorsed Methods to Enhance Your Outdoor Ambiance
Fragrant Evergreens Brighten Up Poolside Environments
Transform your poolside into a fragrant oasis with a selection of evergreen plants that thrive in sunny, warm conditions. These plants not only offer year-round greenery but also fill the air with pleasant scents.
Gardenias are classic fragrant evergreens, boasting large, glossy leaves and aromatic white flowers that bloom from spring through fall. Varieties like ‘Jubilation’ and ‘Professor Pucci’ are favoured for their strong scent and compact but full foliage, making them ideal for maximising scent enjoyment near walkways or pool edges.
Lesser Calamint (Calamintha nepeta subsp. nepeta ‘White Cloud’) is a compact, bushy evergreen ground cover with small white flowers that bloom for months. Its understated elegance makes it an excellent choice for softening paths and pool edges, while its good drought tolerance and high fragrance make it a perfect addition to any pool area.
Lantana (Lantana camara, Lantana montevidensis) is a shrubby evergreen with lemon/mint-scented foliage and vibrant flower clusters. It thrives in full sun and warm climates, adding bright color and scent to pool areas. However, it can be invasive in some regions, so container planting is advisable there.
Heliotrope (Heliotropium) is another fragrant option, bearing clusters of rich purple flowers that are scented of vanilla and appear almost constantly throughout the summer. It is suitable for containers near pools and can be brought indoors as a high-light houseplant to enjoy until the next spring.
Other attractive options for a poolside environment include Star jasmine, an evergreen vine that would be perfect for planting poolside along a trellis or fence. For privacy and backdrop, Italian Cypress, Podocarpus, and Southern Magnolia provide year-round greenery and privacy screens, although their scent is less pronounced compared to the above.
Adding stylish finishing touches such as parasols and outdoor cushions can enhance the poolside area and create a perfect backdrop for a pool party. A thick layer of mulch can help protect shallow roots of evergreen plants and maintain their health in a poolside environment.
For a splash of colour and fragrance, consider Camellia japonica 'High Fragrance' from Perfect Plants Nursery. This evergreen scented camellia features gorgeous ruffled blooms and adds evergreen elegance to the pool deck. Moreover, its flowers can attract hummingbirds.
Citrus trees, which have sweetly-scented flowers, can also work well in pots alongside pools, providing a delightful aroma and adding a touch of tropical charm to your poolside haven.
In summary, the best fragrant evergreens for poolside use combine aromatic flowers or foliage with adaptability to sunny, sometimes dry conditions common near pools. Lesser Calamint and Gardenias are particularly favoured for their fragrance and evergreen nature, while Lantana offers colorful, scented foliage and blooms. By incorporating these plants into your poolside environment, you can create a sensory paradise that will elevate your outdoor living experience.
[1] Nature Hills (2021). Lesser Calamint. [Online]. Available: https://www.naturehills.com/lesser-calamint-calamintha-nepeta-subsp-nepeta-white-cloud-p1212.htm
[2] Monrovia (2021). Lantana camara 'New Gold'. [Online]. Available: https://www.monrovia.com/product/1000611/lantana-camara-new-gold/
[3] The Spruce (2021). Italian Cypress Trees: A Complete Guide. [Online]. Available: https://www.thespruce.com/italian-cypress-trees-1412403
[4] Ball Horticultural Company (2021). Gardenia 'Jubilation'. [Online]. Available: https://www.ballhort.com/products/gardenia-jubilation/
[5] Ball Horticultural Company (2021). Gardenia 'Professor Pucci'. [Online]. Available: https://www.ballhort.com/products/gardenia-professor-pucci/
Spruce up your home-and-garden with gardenias, a classic fragrant evergreen that flourishes in sunny conditions near pools, providing year-round greenery and pleasant aroma. For a ground cover option, consider Lesser Calamint, a bushy evergreen ground cover that offers continuous fragrant blooms and thrives in a poolside environment.
