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When planting a fragrance garden there are so many flowers, vines and shrubs with delightful perfumes that you might completely forget about ground covers. But are there ground covers with a fragrance? As a matter of fact there are several perfectly wonderful ground cover plants suitable for a fragrance garden.
Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria Majalis).
This lovely rich green ground cover has tiny, creamy white, waxy, bell shaped flowers with a perfume to rival any Rose, Peony or Lilac. It grows 6-8 inches high and is an extremely vigorous spreader, exactly what one needs in a ground cover. It takes semi-shade and thrives under evergreen shrubs and both evergreen and deciduous trees. No woodland garden is complete without Lily-of-the-Valley. Also comes in a pink cultivar equally pretty.
Dianthus “Frost Fire”.
Growing only to 6 inches high this pretty cousin of the carnation has the typical clove like fragrance from the fiery red blossoms set up several inches above the gray-blue foliage. Great for rockeries. Plant a foot apart for full coverage.
Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum).
This shade loving perennial grows 6-12 inches tall. The leaves are very fragrant when dried, somewhat like hay and are used in flavoring May wine. In late spring the plant blooms with small clusters of white flowers. Spreads rapidly in rich, moist soil.
Creeping Thyme.
Also called Mother-of-Thyme, this plant makes a dense ground-hugging mat which drive the bees and butterflies crazy when in bloom. Pretty, tiny pinkish-purple flowers cover this plant come mid summer.
Catnip (Nepeta Cataria).
Though not normally considered a ground cover Catnip grows about 18 inches high but has a tendency to flop over and spill out of flower beds when planted as edging. This makes it nice as a fragrant groundcover which releases the smell as you brush against it. Only problem is if there are cats in the neighborhood they will roll around in it and not allow it to prosper readily. A big loud dog sitting in the garden may help.
Pennyroyal (mentha pulegium).
Hardy to zone 7, this strongly fragrant mint creeps along a few inches above ground level and boasts small lavender flowers. Use sparingly for cooking as it can be toxic if large quantities are ingested. Needs cool, moist soil.
Greek Oregano.
Growing 2-3 feet high this herb likes to flop over and spread on the ground. It can be snipped regularly for adding to pizza and any Mexican or Italian dish. The fragrance is powerful.
Garlic Chives.
Growing 1-2 feet high, you’ll be able to smell these a mile away which is good if your garden is plagued by deer. They hate that garlic-onion smell! But it also has a pretty globe shaped flower great for making herb vinegars and for flavoring oils.
Artemisia Wormwood ( Artemisia Absinthium).
A silvery gray color this plant thrives in the dry, sandy soil of rockeries but does well in regular garden soil too. Likes full sun but can tolerate a bit of shade. Grows to about 2 feet high and once established ain’t no getting rid of it without a lot of effort. But once you start weeding it out you’ll notice the nice fragrance.
A lovely fragrant garden is simply not complete without some nice ground covers. Once you find the right ones for you, your yard will be the envy of every nose within sight.
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Author Bio Box: Glory Lennon
 For amusing short stories visit http://www.helium.com/users/32782. For an intriguing novelette-in-progress visit: http://www.myspace.com/glorygarden.
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