Many who see the brightly-colored blooms of the crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) fall in love at first sight. These highly ornamental perennials can grow up to 4 feet tall, adding height and color to any garden. The unique flowers appear to be upside down, with sturdy green leaves above and dangling blooms below. Native to the Himalayas, crown imperials are drought tolerant and cold hardy (USDA zones 5 to 8), and grow well when undisturbed. But before you order seeds for this gorgeous, easy-to-grow flower, there’s a big downside you should consider. 

The good news is this flower will repel pests … the bad news is it will also repel guests because it’s a beautiful plant that causes an awful smell in your yard. Crown imperials are viewed by garden experts as one of the worst smelling flowers. Some say they smell of garlic, while others liken the stench to a skunk. All parts, from stem to leaves to bulbs, carry this pungent aroma which is due to a sulfurous terpene within the plant. 

If you are still enamored with the look of crown imperials, choose a place in your yard that is far from your home or any seating areas. The smell also resembles that of a fox, and can be useful for keeping hungry critters away from more vulnerable flowers planted nearby. The height of the blooms make them an excellent border flower, but if bordering a neighbor’s yard, you might want to choose the neighbor you dislike the most. Or better yet, try a better-smelling alternative flower.

It’s hard to match the crown imperial in the looks department, but you can find other brightly-colored perennial flowers that will grow tall in your garden. A close match is the red hot poker (Kniphofia), a striking torch-like bloom that also reaches around 4 feet in height. It has varieties in shades of vibrant red, orange, yellow, and even multi-colored blooms displayed in a stunning ombre effect. It is also relatively easy to grow, deer resistant, and drought-tolerant (USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9). Red hot poker plants don’t have a notable fragrance, and are a good alternative to crown imperials for those sensitive to strong smells. 

Another unique flower you may not have considered is the globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus). When allowed to bloom, these vegetables open up into bright purple flowers and grow around 5 feet tall. They might not be as tolerant to pests, heat, cold, and drought as the crown imperial, however, they smell (and taste) much better, with a lovely honey scent. These plants are hardy in USDA zones 7 to 10, and grow especially well in California.  

Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) is a dreamy tall flower that’s easy to grow, and another odorless alternative to crown imperials. They can grow to a towering 8 feet, and provide a large column of blooms in shades of red, pink, yellow, orange, purple, and white. They are also deer and rabbit tolerant, and attract beneficial pollinators. These low-maintenance, self-seeding blooms are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9.