These fragrant groundcovers offer pleasing aromas and colorful flowers.
Greg Scheidemann
Groundcover plants add texture and color as well as a sense of continuity to the garden.
For added value, why not consider a groundcover that adds fragrance too?
Credit:Greg Scheidemann
The following groundcovers will make a refreshing addition to your landscape, thanks to their scented flowers or foliage.
It spreads by rhizomes but is not invasive; clumps may reach 4 feet or more across.
It has strongly aromatic, deep green leaves and somewhat woody stems.
Credit:Denny Schrock
Its blue flowers appear in spring and summer and attract bees and other pollinators.
Fortunately, creeping thyme is not attractive to deer or rabbits.
Each time its aromatic leaves are stepped upon, it releases its pleasantly herbal aroma.
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Dwarf Catmint
Carson Downing
Catmint(Nepetaspp.)
In addition to an extended flowering season and piquant fragrance, catmints attract lots of pollinators anddeter deer.
Both leaves and flowers emit a sweet, fruity aroma and can be dried for a calming tea.
Credit: Matthew Benson
This perennial is easily grown from seed and spreads by rooting along its creeping stems.
It has a pleasing, meandering habit and can be used as a fragrantlawn alternativeor planted between stepping stones.
They are typically deep purple, although light purple, pink, and white selections are available.
Credit:Carson Downing
As an added bonus, theflowers are edible.
When its happy with its conditions, it will spread to create a lush carpet of bright green foliage.
In late spring, tiny white star-shaped flowers appear in abundance.
Credit:Dean Schoeppner
Both leaves and flowers bear a light vanilla-like fragrance.
Flowering stems with their leaves are used to flavor May winea traditional German beverage.
It forms mats of foliage that can spread widely.
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Loose clusters of delicate, sweetly-scented flowers appear in April and May.
The blossoms are typically blue or purple and there is a white-flowered variety called Fullers White.
Because its roots are shallow, it makes an effective cover forearly spring flowering bulbs.
Credit:Bob Stefko
