Gardening

In the Garden: Plants for Fragrance By Anita Sajip

Scented trees and shrubs: Trees and shrubs with fragrant flowers create magical effects in the garden. The scent, wafted by a breeze, often comes as a delicious surprise. In spring, azaleas (Rhododendron), lilac (Syringa) and mock orange (Philadelphus) provide a delightful perfume. In summer, lime trees (Tilia) and, of course, roses, give out a refreshing scent.

Fragrant border plants: There is a wide range of smaller shrubs, perennials and bulbs that can add a scented dimension to borders. Plants such as pinks (Dianthus), lavender, and several lilies like the Madonna lilies (Lilium candidum) have perfumes that carry well. Strongly scented annuals and biennials, such as stocks (Matthiola) and wallflowers (Erysimum), planted in blocks, are an effective way of boosting the fragrance of borders.

Aromatic plants: Aromatic herbs have long been providing flavourings as well as medicinal uses. A light bruising of the leaves is all that is needed to release the volatile oils from which their fragrance comes. They need to be thoughtfully positioned: at the front of a border where they will be brushed against in passing, or on paving where they get lightly trodden, or in containers close enough for the leaves to be gently pinched.