For Mother’s Day, many people will give their mom a traditional bouquet of flowers, but have you considered expressing your gratitude and appreciation with fragrant, water-wise plants? A colorful and creative arrangement can serve as a centerpiece on a table, but a new California native plant can be a beautiful addition to an outdoor space. We have highlighted four aromatic and water-wise plants that offer a captivating aroma. Take some time to visit your local nursery and enjoy picking the right one for the recipient in your life!
Coyote Mint (Monardella villosa)
A colorful favorite of ours is Coyote Mint, which is a California native and water-wise perennial. The Coyote Mint carries a mint-like fragrance, and its blooms offer a vibrant pop of pink and lavender purple color. This selection is perfect for attracting bees and butterflies and will bloom in the late springtime.
Allen Chickering Sage (Salvia ‘Allen Chickering’)
For a unique scent, the Allen Chickering Sage boasts a fragrant oil of evergreen from its foliage. This sage produces bold and beautiful lavender flowers that are scented and bloom in the spring and summer.
California Sagebrush (Artemesia Californica)
The leaves of the California Sagebrush can easily awaken the senses with its natural, pleasant aroma. Its unique silver-green coloring and support of bird and insect species make this plant a captivating selection. You can look forward to summer as the California Sagebrush is heat-tolerant and blooms yellow and white flowers in the summer months.
Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii)
Mock Orange is a California native shrub from the Hydrangea family. This shrub produces long stems that hold white-pedaled flowers with yellow clusters. These flowers produce a heavy, sweet aroma that is reminiscent of pineapple and orange. The Mock Orange is one of the most distinct, as it is one of the most fragrant California native plants.
We hope you take your time and explore your local nursery to find the perfect, aromatic plant for your Mother’s Day gift, whether it is part of an arranged bouquet or a new addition to a landscape. Filling a loved one’s day with fragrant blooms will be sure to make this Mother’s Day unforgettable.
