Scented plants for summer borders and containers
Scent is an essential part of our sensory experience of the outdoors. Whether it’s the distinctive, earthy smell of warm, damp soil after rain, officially known as 'petrichor', the passing perfume of an unassuming shrub in the depths of winter, or a summer rose mixing with freshly mown grass, perfumes in nature are designed to catch our attention.
The effect of scented plants is powerful and immersive. In an instant, scent transports you right back to a moment in childhood, a memory of another time and place. Plus, it is scientifically proven to be stress-reducing, relaxing and a fast track to refuelling the dopamine-needy parts of our brains.
Gardener and author Sarah Raven says scent is essential for her garden. 'I find fragrant plants have so many benefits, often aiding relaxation and also offering a sense of calm,' she says. And it’s also worth noting that it’s not just us humans who are drawn to scented flowers. Perfume is a big attractor for pollinators, so your garden will reap the benefits in more ways than one.
Planting for scent
Take time to think about how you want to experience the perfume in your garden– do you want to sit outside on summer evenings, immersed in a cloud of fragrance when you’re relaxing? Or catch a fleeting scent as you rush out of the front door on a frosty morning? Or do you want to brush past fragrant herbs as you’re walking down your garden path?
Consider scented plants in the same way you might think about colours or textures and aim to have a perfumed plant for every season – be it winter-flowering shrubs and summer annuals such as night scented stock, or salvias that keep going into the autumn. And don’t forget to welcome plants with more subtle scents, almost hidden until you’re right up close, like clove-scented dianthus.
Within your fragrance palette, aromatic foliage has an important sensory role. From familiar culinary herbs like sage and rosemary to ornamental salvias, catmint and cotton lavender, simply brushing past or running your hand across these plants will release their scent. Try planting creeping thyme or Corsican mint in between paving stones – when stepped on, you’ll catch the fragrance of the lightly crushed leaves. And try rubbing the leaves of a scented pelargonium. The intense fragrance from 'Attar of Roses' is heavenly.
Last but not least, don’t forget the cut flowers that release their perfume in warm interiors. Early flowering bulbs like snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis ‘Flore Pleno’ and sweet lily of the valley make wonderful posies, while hyacinths and scented narcissus are the ultimate scents of spring – force them indoors for an early taster.
1. Lavender
One of the most beloved scents, it’s hard to beat lavender, planted either as a low informal hedge or grown in pots. Who can resist touching the soft grey foliage or the intensely fragranced, tiny flowers for a breath of this distinctive scent? Plant as many as you have space for to get maximum impact in well-drained soil and full sun. Cultivars from the Lavandula x intermedia and L. angustifolia groups are prized for their fragrance.
2. Rose
Roses without scent might be perfectly beautiful, but why choose one that doesn’t add to your olfactory pleasure? Of course, there’s an overwhelming array of shrub roses to choose from but if you opt for a scented climber growing up a wall, over an arch or pergola, you can totally immerse yourself. For repeat flowering English rose royalty, look no further than ‘Gertrude Jekyll’. Climbing roses need support and tying in, while ramblers will scramble more freely over available vertical space.
3. Jasmine
Another distinctive, classic scent, the ‘false’ star jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides is one of the best garden performers. A fantastic climber, albeit a slow starter, it’s good for clothing walls and fences with its glossy evergreen foliage. It works hard all year round, copes with dry soils, some shade, and when mature, is covered with tiny white jasmine-scented flowers. At its peak on summer evenings, plant near seating or dining areas where you can relish the heady fragrance while you relax or entertain.
4. Honeysuckle
Good for scrambling up a pergola, fence or running through a mixed hedge, this sweet-smelling classic is great for early summer flowers. Team it with roses or clematis for a wonderful mix of flowers and scent. The blooms are gorgeous up close and the scent carries on warm air. Try Lonicera periclymenum 'Belgica' or the new compact variety, ‘Rhubarb and Custard’ for smaller spaces and containers.
5. Sweet peas
Sweet peas are must-have annuals for scent. Whether you grow them in up a wigwam or against a fence, it’s always worth sowing a few sweet pea seeds whatever size garden you have. With hundreds of varieties to choose from, in colours ranging from white through to pink, red and purple, the flowers will keep coming through the summer; and the more you cut them to bring indoors, the more they will keep flowering. Choose a sunny location and keep well watered.
6. Phlox
Phlox are great for adding scent to mixed borders. Sarah Raven recommends the aptly named ‘Phlox divaricata 'Clouds of Perfume', explaining: 'This compact phlox is one of my favourite perennials for a sunny spring border or container thanks to its delicious scent and abundance of long-lasting flowers.' Plant near paths so you can enjoy the scent in passing.
7. Lily
Lilies have all the glamorous looks to match their heady perfume. Plant bulbs in spring, directly into mixed borders or larger containers but watch out for lily beetle – pick off the bright red insects before their offspring decimate your plants. Try the species Lilium regale with one or more of the many cultivars that flower later to have lily scent right through the summer. See Sarah Raven’s Scented Lily collection.
8. Buddleija davidii, 'Wisteria Lane'
While buddleijas might not be a first choice for scent, this new introduction is a Sarah Raven favourite. 'It boasts a seriously elegant perfume,' she says. 'The scent is a delightful addition to any outside space and is great for biodiversity, always proving popular with pollinators.' The long flowering season from June to September, is an added bonus making this medium height butterfly bush a great choice for sunny gardens of all sizes and for larger containers.
BUY NOW: Buddleija davidii, 'Wisteria Lane'
9. Lilac, Syringa
The scent of lilac is so evocative of sunshine and the early days of summer. With white, pink and purple varieties available it can be grown as a shrub or small tree, and some varieties have a long flowering season, so it makes a good choice for gardens of all sizes. Suttons have the standard pruned Lilac 'Palibin' available, which is good for containers. While Thompson & Morgan have a range of dwarf varieties perfect for smaller spaces. Plant in well drained, fertile soil in full sun.
10. Mock orange
Philadelphus is a classic, large, deciduous garden shrub, valued for its pure white flowers that have an intense orange blossom fragrance. It has a moment of glory at the height of summer, then fades into the background, so use it in larger, mixed borders, where other plants can take centre stage when it is over. Try the midsize ‘Manteau d’hermine’ or ‘Belle Etoile and larger ‘Fragrant Falls’ or ‘Virginal’. It needs pruning after flowering.
Scented plants for winter
Perfumed plants always seem more intense during the dormant season. Garden designer, lecturer and co-director of Garden Masterclass, Annie Guilfoyle, has three recommendations for winter scent: 'Daphne bholua "Jacqueline Postill" is probably the queen of scented shrubs and is great by a doorway to enjoy in winter. Edgeworthia chrysantha has an incredible scent from flowers on bare branches – it’s very under-used but an incredible addition to the garden. Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’ is a winter flowering witch hazel with spidery flowers in mid-winter, with delicious scent.'
Sarah Raven also champions Daphne. 'I adore Daphne "Perfume Princess" – a truly scented sensation and a strong winter shrub that makes a worthy addition to any garden. I love the spicy fragrance that emerges from the masses of long-lasting blooms. As a hybrid of two Daphne species, this shrub takes on the powerful scent and durability of both Daphne "Bholua" and Daphne "Odora". It's an absolute must-have!'
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