Pluchea odorata (Sweetscent)
Sweetscent, Saltmarsh Fleabane, Camphorweed, Stinkweed, Salt Marsh Fleabane, Sourbush, Cattle-Tongue
An excellent butterfly attractant, Pluchea odorata (Sweetscent) is an annual or short-lived perennial wildflower boasting dense, flat-topped clusters of rosy pink flowers in mid-summer to fall. The individual flowers lack ray florets. Attractive to bees and butterflies, the blossoms are often used in dried flower arrangements. They are borne atop leafy stalks clad with sweet-smelling, ovate to lanceolate leaves with toothed margins. The flowers give way to inconspicuous achenes tipped with a pappus. Sweetscent occurs naturally in freshwater and salt marshes, swamps, and coastal hammocks. It is primarily recommended for natural landscapes, habitat restorations, wet wildflowers, and butterfly gardens.
- Grows up to 2-4 ft. tall (60-120 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
- Prefers full sun in moist to wet, moderately well-drained to periodically flooded sandy, calcareous or organic soils. This plant is moderately salt tolerant, but not drought tolerant.
- Excellent choice for naturalistic landscapes, habitat restoration, cottage gardens, bog gardens, and wildflower gardens.
- No serious pest or disease issues.
- Propagate by seed.
- Native to the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America.
Buy Pluchea odorata (Sweetscent)
Requirements
Hardiness | 8
– 11 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Annuals, Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 2' – 4' (60cm – 120cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 24" – 36" (60cm – 90cm) |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, California, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountains, Utah, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Wet Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
Doug MacGrady, Jim Duggan, Flickr
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 8
– 11 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Annuals, Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid,Late) Fall |
Height | 2' – 4' (60cm – 120cm) |
Spread | 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 24" – 36" (60cm – 90cm) |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive |
Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Showy |
Native Plants | United States, California, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountains, Utah, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Wet Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
Garden Uses | Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Rain Gardens |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |