Growing for Scent

Scent is the most evocative of all the senses and many people claim that a certain scent can transport them back in time, reminding them of the past.   Surprisingly, scent is often overlooked when planting a garden or, if it is considered, we only think of roses, honeysuckle and jasmine.

  A sunny border is the perfect spot for scented plants and the sun and heat seems to bring out the scent even more.   Wallflowers, with their delicate perfume are an old fashioned favourite, arousing nostalgic memories on spring mornings.   Plant them at the front of the border as the only grow to about 30cm.   Some of the newer hybrids don’t have the heady scent of the older ones, so use your nose when buying them.   ‘Fire King’ or ‘Ivory White’ have a lovely scent.

When growing for scent you should include Stocks.   They have a distinctive clove scent which can be quite overpowering.   White Stocks are not as heavily scented as pink ones, so if you like a little less scent you might want to plant white Stocks.   Although Stocks need to be replanted every year they are well worth the effort because they also make for a vast array of colour, from white to peach, pink, lilac and lavender.   You can either buy the young plants at the garden centre or grow your own from seed.

If you are growing for scent you should include some lilies.   There are many to choose from but the double oriental hybrid ‘Miss Lucy’ is outstanding.   It is very fragrant and absolutely delightful.   Remember to water regularly as lilies should be kept moist at all times.   In order to get the best show you should plant your lilies in April or May.

You can also grow for scent on the patio and scented pelargoniums are the ideal plant.   A number of them have scented leaves that release their perfume as you brush past.   Many smell of apple, lemon, peppermint, orange, cedar, rose, cinnamon, pine – the varieties are endless.   There are one or two with unpleasant smells, so check before you buy.   Pelargoniums are easy to grow but you need to bring them indoors in winter.

Pinks are among my favourites for growing on the patio.   Many are low growing so would look best placed off the ground on a shelf, table or low wall.   If you are growing pinks for scent be careful when choosing, as many varieties are not scented – you need to be looking at the old fashioned pinks for the sweetest scent.   ‘Mrs Sinkins’ has plain white flower but the most exquisite scent.   The only drawback about old fashioned pinks is that the flowering period is short, but they are well worth it for the perfume.

Growing for scent is also possible if your garden is on the shady side.   Many of the shade loving plants have subtle scents.   Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum odoratum) and Smilacina racemosa are two members of the lily of the valley family and both have delicate scents.   Solomon’s seal has dainty, bell shaped flowers along its stems, while smilacina has its flowers in a single puff at the end of each stem.   They are both easy to grow and hardy and will flower from April till June and they produce colourful berries once they finish flowering.