How to Plan for
Scent in Your Garden
Like colour, fragrance
in the garden can either be left to chance or actively planned.
It's a key ingredient of a romantic garden. But, like colour, fragrance
is experienced in different intensities. Plants give out scent in
two distinct ways: through scented flowers that release their perfume
as they open - for instance roses, honeysuckle, philadelphus and
mahonia; or through aromatic foliage, when essential oils are released
by crushing, brushing, and heat - such as rosemary, chamomile, artemisia,
lavender. Some research has indicated a possible link between scent
and allergic complaints such as hayfever and asthma, a fact worth
bearing in mind whilst planning where scented plants are to go in
your garden. For instance wallflowers can trigger problems in some
people. These other Workshops might also be helpful when planning
a scented garden: How to plan a winter border; How to plan a spring
border; How to plan an summer border; How to plan an autumn border;
How to plan for year round interest.
What You Need:
Time of year is important when planning scent. There are plants
which produce scent throughout the year either via their flowers
or their foliage. Many aromatic plants are also evergreen. Select
scented plants of both types for year round effects. Here are a
few seasonal suggestions: 1. Winter - Christmas Box - Sarcococca,
Lonicera Fragrantissima, Mahonia Japonica, Witch Hazel - Hamamelis
Mollis, Viburnum Bodnantense. 2. Spring: Daphne Odora - Wisteria
Sinensis; Choisya Ternata, Malus Floribunda, Viburnum Carlesii,
Clematis Armandii, Rhododendrons - many particularly R. lutea. 3.
Summer: Cytisus Battandieri, Jasminum Officinale, Lonicera periclymenum,
Roses, Philadelphus. 4. Autumn: Cercidophyllum japonicum, Elaeagnus
x Ebbingei, Itea Ilicifolia, Myrtus Communis, Clematis Flammula.
.
Step 1
Some plants produce their scent at different times of the day. Use
this to your advantage by putting them where they can be enjoyed.
Plant evening scented specials around your seat which enjoy late
sunshine - Night Scented Stock, Nicotiana, Evening Primrose. Lonicera
Periclymenum 'Graham Thomas' has a good fragrance which lingers
in warm evenings. Heat reacts with scent, making overpowering effects
for some - for example Lilium Regale and other pollen heavy scented
subjects.
Step 2
Try and make tiers of scent by including scented plants from each
of the major groups in your planting - trees, climbers, shrubs,
herbaceous perennials, bulbs, annuals and biennials. Combined with
seasonality, you'll achieve a good balance of scented plants in
your garden. Don't forget ground level subjects - Thymes, Chamomile
and Pennyroyal happily grow between paving slabs, releasing their
scent when trodden on. The heat reflected by paving also disperses
scent into the air.
Step 3
Use scented plants in different garden compartments to lure visitors
around. Use different fragrances in different compartments to reflect
different moods and styles. Include scented plants beneath windows
and by doorways - particularly winter or early spring performers.
Step 4
Garden scent can be classified in a way similar to the 'notes' referred
to with cosmetic perfumes: Herbal/Balsam - Mint, Artemisia, Balsam
Poplar Spicy/Musk - Basil, Fennel, some Azaleas, Ribes Odoratum,
Nasturtium. Honey/Almond - Abeliophyllum Distichum, Clethra Alnifolia,
Tree Lupin. Sweet/ Vanilla - Acacia Dealbata, Daphne Burkwoodii,
Magnolia Denudata. Lemon/Orange - Lippia Citriodora, Thymus X Citriodora,
Pittosporum Tobira. Rose/Floral - Mahonia Japonica, most Roses,
Jasminum Officinale, Lilac. Fruity - Box, Salvia Rutilans, Cytisus
Battandieri.
Step 5
Scents can be very evocative of people and places. The aroma of
Cistuses instantly conjures up the Mediterranean. So if you have
had a great holiday somewhere growing a plant from your destination
may conjure up happy memories.
Source: Greenfingers
