There are approximately 350,000 species of flowering plants, each with distinct characteristics, including scents.
To discover
February: what vegetables and fruits are in season?
How do flowers produce smells?
The scent of flowers is mainly due to the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in their petals.
These VOCs are aromatic molecules that are released into the air and picked up by our nose, creating an olfactory sensation.
Each plant species produces a specific range of VOCs that contribute to its distinctive scent.
Some plants are genetically programmed to produce more scent than others.
Environmental conditions such as light, temperature, humidity and soil can affect VOC production.
For example, a plant grown in nutrient-rich soil may produce more fragrance than a plant grown in poor soil.
Fragrance production can also vary throughout the day.
Some flowers release more scent during the day to attract pollinators, while others produce their scent at night.
Also read: What happens in the garden at night?
Why do flowers produce smells?
These odors serve to promote pollination.
This is the process by which flowers reproduce.
By depositing pollen from one flower to another, the insect allows the stamens (the male reproductive organs) and the pistils (the female reproductive organs) to meet, which ensures the reproduction of the flower.
Sweet Smell Strategy
Some flowers, such as jasmine, lilies and hyacinths, produce sweet, pleasant fragrances to attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees and bumblebees.
Putrid Smell Strategy
In contrast, others mimic odors associated with organic decomposition, such as the smell of carrion, urine, feces or rotting meat to attract scavenging insects, such as flies and hoverflies, which are attracted by these smells and are thus encouraged to visit the flowers.
Among them, the fetid hellebore or lysichiton.
Good to know
Flowers that rely on insects for pollination tend to smell stronger to attract them.
Also read: What are the useful insects in the garden?
Why do some plants not smell at all?
In contrast, other flowers may not have a noticeable scent for a variety of reasons.
This may be an evolutionary adaptation to discourage herbivores from eating them, or simply a characteristic of the species.
For example, some plants, such as grasses and conifers, rely on wind for pollination.
They therefore do not produce an odor because they do not need to attract pollinators.
10 fragrant flowers
Fragrant flowers add a touch of delicacy to any garden or floral arrangement, while filling the air with their aromas.
Pink
Gardenia
Peony
Orchid
Lavender
Geranium
Begonia
Beauty of the night
Honeysuckle
Heliotrope
Also read: 10 fragrant indoor flowers
10 odorless flowers
Due to allergies, or sensitivity to scents, odorless flowers are often chosen for their decorative appearance and ease of maintenance, rather than for their fragrance.
Schlumbergera
Winter Jasmine
Ficus benjamina
Hibiscus syriacus
Dahlia
Anemones
Petunia
Buttercup
Thought
Sunflower
Also readDiscover 5 odorless plants
10 flowers with an unpleasant smell
Unpleasant for humans, flowers with overly strong and annoying odors are very good natural repellents for rodents.
Fetid hellebore
Lysichiton
Foul street
Serpentine
Bunge Clerodendron
Knotweed
Foul Iris
Spotted Arum
Cat germander
Arum titan