7 Unusual Garden Plants That Smell like Chocolate or Coca-Cola
Choosing plants for our gardens we normally take into account their appearance, soil requirements or the way they smell. The last feature could matter a lot as there are species giving off the smells of chocolate, gingerbread, citrus fruit or even Coca-Cola.
#1 The southernwood (lad’s love)
This species of flowering plant from the sunflower family comes from mid-Asia. It grows up to 5 feet. It has got grey-green stems with feathery leaves. It is appreciated thanks to its healing properties.
Interestingly, it gives of a pleasant smell very similar to the smell of Coca-Cola.
#2 Cosmos atrosanguineus (the chocolate cosmos)
This flowerbed plant has got burgundy-brown flowers and can reach the height of a foot. It blooms from July till September/ October. This is when it attracts, both people and insects, with its intensive scent of chocolate. The very color of the flowers makes you think of the delicious dessert. Though the plant does not have some strict requirements, it definitely prefers sunny spots.
#3 Monarda citriodora (lemon beebalm)
The perennial comes from Canada. It grows really fast and blooms within a year after planting. Its flowers make a wonderful decoration with all their shades of pink and violet. Moreover, the flowers and leaves have a very distinct smell. Its citrus and slightly bitter fragrance makes you think a bit of bergamot orange (a bitter variety of this fruit).
#4 Phlox
The natural habitat of the plant is North America. They have got long leaves and when they spread they form a thick ground cover. The flowers come in a variety of colors ranging from pink and violet to blue and red. The flowers give off a spicy smell, largely dependent on the ambient temperature. On a scorching day the plant will give off the smell in the evening.
#5 Chocolate vine (five-leaf chocolate vine)
This shrub is native to China and Korea. It can be even 30 feet long. It’s got dark-green leaves and white, pink or brown-purple flowers clustered in racemes. There is a reason behind the plant’s name. It’s all because the flowers give off a chocolate-cinnamon smell.
#6 Rose geranium (sweet scented geranium)
This potted plant is really common on terraces and balconies, especially in the summer. It has got tiny flowers and it prefers sunny spots. In this case it’s all about the leaves. Depending on the variety, they give off a particular smell. For example some smells of citrus (Pelargonium crispum), peppermint (Pelargonium tomentosum), peaches (Pelargonium ‚Peach Cream’) while others smell like gingerbread (Pelargonium quercifolium) or nuts (Pelargonium ‚Shottesham Pet’).
#7 Cheddar pink (clove pink)
This perennial has got long narrow leaves covered with wax. In its natural habitat they can be found and central and west Europe. They are very easy to cultivate. Their frayed flowers come in all shades of pink, white and red. From May till June they give off a strong spicy fragrance.
Have you got any of these plants in your garden?
