| There is a strong belief among many people, | | | | The aroma released by some plants foliage is |
| that Australian Natives are beautiful but | | | | not revealed until it has been disturbed, |
| have no perfume. A stroll through the bush | | | | crushed or brushed against. These include the |
| will dispel that rumour easily. | | | | Backhousia citriodora (Lemon Myrtle) which is |
| | | | probably the best of all native lemon scents |
| The fragrance of crushed leaves and scented | | | | and is also used commercially as a cooking |
| blossoms can be almost overpowering at times. | | | | ingredient, while the foliage of B. anisata |
| But many of the natives have a more subtle | | | | is strongly scented like aniseed; |
| fragrance; you have to be close to them at | | | | Eremophilas, Eriostemon species, |
| the correct time to appreciate the flavours | | | | Prosantheras, |
| and scents. | | | | |
| | | | Leptospermum petersoni (Lemon-scented |
| The perfume of native plants is often | | | | Tea-tree -- also good as a hedging plant), |
| produced at different times of the day or | | | | Darwinia citriodora (a light lemon scent) and |
| night. Perfumed native flowers include many | | | | some Melaleucas (Paperbarks) also have |
| of the Grevilleas (some like G. biternata and | | | | scents. |
| G. G. buxifolia have a strong honey-like | | | | |
| perfume others like G. buxifolia have a light | | | | Of course you can't forget the Eucalypt |
| fragrant perfume), Boronias ( e.g. B. | | | | family with its famous eucalypt scent, which |
| floribunda, B. serrulata and B. megastigma), | | | | is redolent of our bushland. But now many |
| Sowerbaeas (Vanilla Lilies), Xanthoreas | | | | other countries are growing vast plantations |
| (Grass Trees), Banksias, Eleaocarpus | | | | of them for timber, firewood and revegetation |
| reticulatus (Blueberry Ash) which has a | | | | programs on every continent bar Antartica. |
| strong almost aniseed scent, Hakeas, | | | | One species, the E. citriodora gives off a |
| Pittosporum undulatum (Native Daphne) -- the | | | | strong lemon-come-eucalypt scent while Agonis |
| perfume of this species may becoming | | | | flexuosa has a combination of eucalyptus and |
| overpowering in the evening --, Leptospermum | | | | peppermint scent. |
| species (e.g. L. flavescens), Homoranthus | | | | |
| species (which has a Baked Biscuit scent) and | | | | Calomeria elegans has been used as a |
| Hymenosporum flavum (Native Frangipani). Many | | | | substitute for lavender. Some species of |
| of the white flowering Eucalypts, Melaleuca | | | | Boronias also have strongly scented foliage. |
| and Callistemon species have a strong honey | | | | |
| scent. | | | | And let's not forget the grassy type plants, |
| | | | the lomandra's and the Grass trees, both of |
| There are a number of fragrant orchids | | | | which give a lovely honeyed smell when in |
| particularly the Dendrobium species: these | | | | flower. |
| tend to be strongest from early morning to | | | | |
| the early afternoon. While some of the | | | | So why not think about using some fragrant |
| Cymbidium species such as C. suave have a | | | | native plants in your garden. Not only will |
| good perfume during the middle of the day). | | | | you get the benefit of supporting your local |
| The Sarcochilus species have what is best | | | | environment. But you might also get other |
| described as a spicy aroma. | | | | benefits, like attracting birds, other |
| | | | wildlife and butterflies to your garden. |