atHome Colorado Features
Spending time outdoors in a beautifully landscaped, low-maintenance garden has long been appreciated for improving one’s well-being, physical health and stress reduction. Additionally, outdoor living areas and pollinator-attracting gardens are increasingly desirable home features, enhancing quality of life and attracting homebuyers. According to Homes & Gardens, these features can add up to 10% to a home’s resale value.
While studies have shown that seeing nature can influence life satisfaction, emotions, cognitive function, social interactions, dietary choices, stress levels and even depressive symptoms, less is known about the impact of fragrances, according to Neuroscience News. Researchers hypothesize that fragrances, including those found in certain plants, may trigger smell receptors in your nose to initiate a “subthreshold” response — one that people are not of. Some scents, like those of sweet-smelling flowers, may be universally perceived as pleasant.
The research may still be out, but we know from experience that stumbling upon a fragrant plant in nature delights our senses and puts a smile on our faces. Introducing sweet-smelling plants along frequently used walkways or near open windows can enhance your home’s ‘joy’ factor and intrinsic value by adding beauty and fragrance.
Adding ‘joy’ value makes sense when preparing your home for sale. Consider planting these vibrant options recommended for Colorado gardens in Timberline Landscaping’s guide to fragrant gardens.
- Lilacs: A favorite among Colorado residents, lilacs bloom with purple-blue flowers for about two weeks in late May. These hardy plants thrive in full sun, require minimal maintenance, and emit a strong, sweet fragrance that attracts pollinators. Lilacs can grow up to 20 feet tall, with smaller varieties available for more compact spaces.
- Rosemary: Rosemary is a beautiful, fragrant garden plant and a culinary herb that can flavor your favorite dishes. Its silver-grey foliage and purple-blue flowers add beauty while providing a delightful aroma. This perennial herb can grow up to four feet tall and wide.
- Wisteria: Known for its cascading clusters of sweet-scented purple, blue, or white flowers, wisteria thrives as a climbing vine on structures like pergolas. Popular Colorado varieties include Chinese Wisteria and Texas Purple Wisteria, with Aunt Dee being a preferred option for colder climates. Optimal growth conditions include protection from late frosts and strong winds.
- Hyacinth: These perennials produce sweet-smelling flowers in various colors and grow 6-12 inches tall in full sun. They are resistant to deer and attract butterflies, making them a charming addition to any Boulder garden.
- Lavender: A favorite in Colorado, lavender blooms in the fall with earthy, sweetly fragrant purple-blue, pink, or white flowers. In addition to repelling deer, lavender attracts pollinators, promoting a lively garden ecosystem.
- Peonies: A Colorado favorite, Peonies are celebrated for their showy spring blooms, wafting a crisp, soft aroma. They grow 12 to 36 inches tall and wide and enjoy full to partial sun. Peonies need the help of ants to bloom, so if you see the tiny critters crawling on your peony buds before they bloom, don’t be surprised. It’s all part of the natural process.
- Crabapple Trees: Ideal for more spacious yards, crabapple trees are the perfect addition for a beautiful aromatic spring bloom that attracts pollinators. The blooms develop into a small, edible tart fruit well suited for making jams and jellies.
- Canada Red Chokecherry: Chokecherry trees are cherished in Colorado for their fragrant spring blooms and deep maroon foliage in the summer and fall. Coloradoans delight in making chokecherry jam and jelly.
This selection represents a few popular options that add fragrance and beauty to your home, boosting its value and your sense of well-being. For more information, read the complete articles on fragrant gardening at neurosciencenews.com/olfaction-nature-wellbeing-26133 and timberlinelandscaping.com/your-colorado-fragrance-garden-guide-must-have-plants.
Tom Kalinski is the broker/owner of RE/MAX of Boulder, the local residential real estate company he established in 1977. He was inducted into Boulder County’s Business Hall of Fame in 2016 and has a 40-year background in commercial and residential real estate. For questions, e-mail Tom at tomkalinski33@gmail.com, call 303.441.5620 or visit boulderco.com.
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