Do Hydrangeas Have a Scent?

Hydrangeas are a popular garden plant, prized for their large, showy flowerheads. But one question that often comes up is, do hydrangeas have a scent? The short answer is that some hydrangea varieties are fragrant, while others have little to no scent. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the fascinating world of hydrangea aromas.

An Overview of Hydrangea Fragrance

While not all hydrangea varieties are fragrant, several popular types do emit noticeable aromas The intensity and exact scent can vary depending on the cultivar, weather, time of day, and other factors Some of the most fragrant hydrangea species include

• Bigleaf hydrangea – Most bigleaf hydrangeas lack scent, but some like ‘Wedding Gown’ have a sweet, perfume-like fragrance.

• Panicle hydrangea – These hydrangeas are prized for their honey-like fragrance. ‘Limelight’ is an especially fragrant cultivar

• Climbing hydrangea – Emits a light, sweet scent most noticeable in the evening.

• Smooth hydrangea – This species generally lacks a noticeable fragrance.

• Oakleaf hydrangea – While not remarkably fragrant, some detect a slight citrusy scent.

Describing the Hydrangea Scent

Putting the scent of hydrangeas into words can be challenging. Like many florals, the aroma is a complex blend of compounds. Some commonly used descriptors include:

• Sweet
• Floral
• Honey
• Fruity
• Citrusy
• Earthy
• Woodsy

The scent is often compared to aromas like jasmine, honeysuckle, and sandalwood. There is an underlying sweetness, combined with notes of fruit and wood. For example, bigleaf hydrangeas like ‘Wedding Gown’ have a sweet fruity/floral scent, while panicle hydrangeas like ‘Limelight’ exude more of a rich, honey-like fragrance.

The intensity can range from faint and delicate to rich and heady, depending on the weather, time of day, and other factors. Early morning and evening tend to be peak times for hydrangea fragrance. Hot, dry, or windy conditions can cause the aroma to dissipate.

What Makes Hydrangeas Smell?

Like many flowering plants, hydrangeas produce fragrant compounds called volatiles that give them their signature scent. These aromatic molecules are contained within the petals and emitted into the air when temperatures are warm. Volatiles are complex mixtures that may contain over 100 chemical compounds in a single flower.

Some of the most important contributors to hydrangea scent include:

• Monoterpenes – Give hydrangeas their fruity/citrusy notes.

• Benzenoid compounds – Provide sweet, floral aromas.

• Fatty acid derivatives – Adds depth and woodsy tones.

The specific blend and concentration of these fragrant molecules determines the overall smell. Selective breeding can enhance floral scents by increasing the content of certain volatiles.

Why Are Some Hydrangeas Fragrant and Others Not?

The fact that some hydrangea species are aromatic while others lack scent comes down to genetic differences. During evolution and domestication, some types ended up with a genetic tendency to produce more fragrant compounds.

For example, bigleaf and panicle hydrangeas appear to contain higher levels of scent-producing volatiles like monoterpenes and benzenoid compounds. Meanwhile, smooth hydrangeas lack these fragrance-boosting traits.

Even within a species, specific cultivars inherit variations in fragrance genes. ‘Limelight’ and ‘Wedding Gown’ hydrangeas carry genetics that result in elevated floral scents, while their relatives may lack such strong aromas.

Can You Breed Hydrangeas for Fragrance?

Thankfully, plant breeders can intentionally develop more fragrant hydrangea varieties. By cross-pollinating existing scented cultivars, they can combine and enhance the aroma-producing genes.

Some tips for boosting hydrangea fragrance through breeding include:

• Select very fragrant parent plants as breeding stock.

• Grow seedlings in ideal conditions to maximize scent production.

• Screen for scent as a criterion when selecting cultivars.

• Analyze floral volatiles to identify highly aromatic individuals.

• Cross complementary scents (fruity and floral, for example).

With time and effort, plant breeders could potentially develop a new class of magnificently fragrant hydrangea cultivars. The genetics for enhancing floral scent are present, waiting to be concentrated and perfected.

How to Maximize Hydrangea Fragrance in Your Garden

If you already grow fragrant hydrangeas, there are some tricks to make sure they reach their full aromatic potential:

• Choose the most fragrant cultivars for your area.

• Provide ideal growing conditions – filtered sun, rich soil, regular water.

• Don’t deadhead spent blooms, since scent peaks as flowers age.

• Plant near seating areas or walkways where scent can be enjoyed.

• Grow in groups rather than solitary plants. More blooms = more fragrance.

• Avoid spraying pesticides that may interfere with scent production.

With good cultural practices, you can surround yourself with the sweet, fruity, honey-like aromas of scented hydrangeas. It may take some trial and error to determine which varieties perfume your garden most beautifully. But the search for the perfect floral scent is one of life’s greatest joys for gardeners.

Final Thoughts

While not all hydrangea varieties are remarkably fragrant, those that do exude a scent fill our gardens with delicious fruity, floral, and honey notes. Seek out renown aromatic cultivars like ‘Limelight’ and ‘Wedding Gown’ if scent is a priority in your planting choices. With selective breeding, there is promising potential to enhance the natural floral perfumes of hydrangeas. And don’t forget to stop and smell the hydrangeas from time to time – it’s a sensory delight that should be enjoyed by all gardeners!