Looking for a smelly plant...

Hello,

New to the forum and already 2 threads!

I am looking for a plant which is really smelly to discourage people loitering in areas around my property. I was told about a plant which smells a lot like dog faeces and is very pungent. Despite my best efforts I've failed to identify what this plant is.

Any ideas of what it is or suggestions for similar plants? I'm going to plant it in a plant pot, so any advice on looking after said plant would also be appreciated.

Many thanks,
Penfold

 

No idea. Vestia foetida smells like cat wee.
Basically, look for anything with "foetida" (or a variation such as foetidus etc) in the Latin name.

 

There are plants that smell pretty rank when in flower, but usually they only smell for a day or two each year.
I cant actually think of any plant that smells awful all the time, and if there was I doubt anyone would actually want it.

 

At the very least they usually require some foliage trauma to release the smell (on the ones that aren't noted for whiffy blooms).

 

You could maybe try Ribes (ornamental currant) makes a good hedge/shrub and smells a bit like Cat piddle when in flower,to me anyway,nice looking shrub though ....but only flowers early in the season...the problem being it may be offensive to the loiterers but what ever plant you go for it will also be offensive to you...

 

Welcome to Gardeners Corner Penfold

You might be better off making a liquid feed from plant waste soaked in water and then rigging up an intermittant sprayer to deliver it, anyone caught it that certainly won't come back for more

 

Hello and welcome to GC

Hmm, a plant that smells bad enough to scare people away? If you are successful in your search, wont that mean you'll have to suffer the same unbearable smell, all the time?

What sort of people are we talking about warding off? Kids? Adults? Biddies? Political Party campaigners?

If its kids, you might find your efforts back fire, as they tell all their mates to come and check out the really stinky plant they've found, and they all come to knick bits off it for their various intended pranks.

We have the mild annoyance of people using our front garden wall as a seat occasionally, as does a neighbour over the road. The solution in both cases is that we're growing a low hedge that will spill over the wall and make it very uncomfortable to sit on.

 

Or dress up as a bush and just wait for the first victim

 

How about something like this?

 

I'd opt for something prickly, Penfold. Poncirus trifoliata is wicked....they wouldn't linger too near that!

 

Hi,

Thanks for all of the fast responses and warm welcomes. Some amusing comments there too!

Fortunately it's an area I don't loiter in myself so not bothered about the smell but that creates the problem of it's easy for people to mess about near my car without being seen. Harmless at the moment but I'd like to discourage if I can and I'm working on the theory that there are easier and nicer options available near by.

It's tarmaced so I can't plant hedges etc and fences have been banned unfortunately.

I'll look into the plant you suggested Marley F. It doesn't seem to be smelly for just short periods.

Thanks all,
Penfold

 

In light of new info, what about a nice wild rose? The thorns are truly evil, in that they get hold of you and you don't feel them til you try to move, then they just dig in. You could have some in large containers near your car, with a piece of cord holding all the wavey stems into a nice tight bundle so they don't get in your way, then at night take the cord off to let the branches sprawl free and grab anyway that brushes past.

 

Got rose bushes in place already, young sappling (not sure if that's the right term), but not so fiendishly set up as you suggested. Evil, I like it!

 

A few plain old nettles hanging over Clue's wall would be a fun addition. Just right for those delicate teen bum-cracks we see rather too much of nowadays!

I have a Viburnum tinus and I've never noticed that it smells unpleasant, I'm afraid.