A Beginner's Guide to Scented Gardens
Turn your outdoor space into a perfumed paradise you adore all year round
Carol Bucknell
1 September 2016
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. Journalist who lives in Auckland and specialises in writing about gardens, houses and design. Author of two books on garden design: Contemporary gardens of New Zealand and Big Ideas for Small Gardens both published by Penguin. I also design gardens and am a passionate gardener. Currently I write the garden pages for New Zealand magazine Your Home & Garden and contribute to NZ Gardener and NZ House & Garden magazines.
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. Journalist who lives in Auckland and specialises... More
The best gardens are places where all five senses come into play. Visual appeal is of course important, and plants that taste good are always welcome. Plus, the sound of water or wind chimes and the feel of velvety leaves add even more dimension. But why not add another sensory element – divinely scented plants? Perfumed plants are one of the easiest ways to transform your outdoor space into an escapist paradise.
Scent is one of the greatest of triggering memories, so use fragrant plants to remind you of that tropical holiday, a wedding bouquet or childhood visits to Nana’s garden – the sweet scent of honeysuckle is sure to evoke some memories over lunch on this terrace. Scents are also a perfect way to add interest at night when the fading light means you can’t see the flowers and foliage, but you can still enjoy them.
Selecting species that flower in different seasons and tucking in as many perfumed plants as you can around your garden means you can have year-round fragrance. And the great thing about scented plants is that there are species to suit every style of garden, whether it’s subtropical, formal or shaded. Here’s where to start:
Selecting species that flower in different seasons and tucking in as many perfumed plants as you can around your garden means you can have year-round fragrance. And the great thing about scented plants is that there are species to suit every style of garden, whether it’s subtropical, formal or shaded. Here’s where to start:
Rotate pots near doors and windows
A waft of scent as you open the door or window is a lovely way to track the seasons. Most scented plants have their season of delicious glory, sometimes only for month or so. Planting in pots means you can give them pride of place when they are in full fragrance, rotating in the next varieties as they come into bloom.
Scented spring bulbs like these hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) or jonquils and paperwhites (Narcissus jonquilla) can be moved out of sight when flowering is over, as they are not a pretty sight as the foliage dies down. Bring in summer-fragrant potted shrubs such as roses or gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) or murraya (Murraya paniculata, sometimes called orange jessamine or jasmine), leaving them to happily winter in a suitable position in the garden until next season.
A waft of scent as you open the door or window is a lovely way to track the seasons. Most scented plants have their season of delicious glory, sometimes only for month or so. Planting in pots means you can give them pride of place when they are in full fragrance, rotating in the next varieties as they come into bloom.
Scented spring bulbs like these hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) or jonquils and paperwhites (Narcissus jonquilla) can be moved out of sight when flowering is over, as they are not a pretty sight as the foliage dies down. Bring in summer-fragrant potted shrubs such as roses or gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) or murraya (Murraya paniculata, sometimes called orange jessamine or jasmine), leaving them to happily winter in a suitable position in the garden until next season.
Plant near living spaces
Position fragrant plants like frangipani (Plumeria) near patios, terraces and decks to add a magical, tropical quality to outdoor evenings. Plant as hedges or, if you have limited ground space, try planting them in containers (be sure to use heavy pots, as they can topple easily).
For parties, make the setting more enticing by placing smaller pots of scented plants like petunias (try Petunia pendula, an heirloom variety, for the strongest scent), gardenias (Gardenia jasminoides) or, of course, old roses (English or David Austin varieties have the strongest scent) here and there beside seating areas.
Position fragrant plants like frangipani (Plumeria) near patios, terraces and decks to add a magical, tropical quality to outdoor evenings. Plant as hedges or, if you have limited ground space, try planting them in containers (be sure to use heavy pots, as they can topple easily).
For parties, make the setting more enticing by placing smaller pots of scented plants like petunias (try Petunia pendula, an heirloom variety, for the strongest scent), gardenias (Gardenia jasminoides) or, of course, old roses (English or David Austin varieties have the strongest scent) here and there beside seating areas.
Plant against a warm wall
The fragrance of many aromatic shrubs becomes more intense when plants are positioned near solid walls in a sunny part of the garden. Try lavender (lavandin or Lavendula x intermedia in cultivars like Grosso and Provence and English Lavandula augustifolia have the strongest fragrance), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris, but also try lemon-scented). These heat-loving plants thrive as the sun is absorbed into the stone, brick or concrete walls near the plants to release the scented oils in their leaves and flowers.
Intensify the heat even more for your plants by using pavers and rocks on the ground too.
The fragrance of many aromatic shrubs becomes more intense when plants are positioned near solid walls in a sunny part of the garden. Try lavender (lavandin or Lavendula x intermedia in cultivars like Grosso and Provence and English Lavandula augustifolia have the strongest fragrance), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris, but also try lemon-scented). These heat-loving plants thrive as the sun is absorbed into the stone, brick or concrete walls near the plants to release the scented oils in their leaves and flowers.
Intensify the heat even more for your plants by using pavers and rocks on the ground too.
Use as hedges in formal gardens
Fragrant hedges are ideal for adding scent to gardens, particularly if outdoor space is tight. Here a Murraya paniculata hedge is planted against a stone wall, which enhances its fragrance, making it linger long after the sun has gone down.
Other plants for fragrant hedges include Mexican orange blossom (Choisya ternata), lavender, rosemary, sweet box (Sarcococca confusa), dwarf Australian frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum ‘Gold Nugget’), port wine magnolia (Michelia figo), many camellias (some of the Camellia japonica, but also C. lutchuensis and sasanquas), and gardenia.
10 hedging plants with punch
Fragrant hedges are ideal for adding scent to gardens, particularly if outdoor space is tight. Here a Murraya paniculata hedge is planted against a stone wall, which enhances its fragrance, making it linger long after the sun has gone down.
Other plants for fragrant hedges include Mexican orange blossom (Choisya ternata), lavender, rosemary, sweet box (Sarcococca confusa), dwarf Australian frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum ‘Gold Nugget’), port wine magnolia (Michelia figo), many camellias (some of the Camellia japonica, but also C. lutchuensis and sasanquas), and gardenia.
10 hedging plants with punch
Murraya paniculata’s common names – orange jessamine, Chinese box, mock orange, mock lime – give plenty of clues to its versatility, as it has lovely orange blossom scent, but its tight foliage can be clipped to a taller hedge than box (Buxus).
Plant in shady areas too
Daphne (Daphne odora) is one of the most popular scented shrubs for shaded gardens, and the first herald of spring. They thrive in soil that is cool and free-draining, but also moisture retentive. If this sounds too tricky for your liking, try one of the perfumed hostas (the white-flowering Hosta plantaginea), camellia or rhododendron (try the white Rhododendron fragrantissimum or creamy yellow R. johnstoneanum).
Daphne (Daphne odora) is one of the most popular scented shrubs for shaded gardens, and the first herald of spring. They thrive in soil that is cool and free-draining, but also moisture retentive. If this sounds too tricky for your liking, try one of the perfumed hostas (the white-flowering Hosta plantaginea), camellia or rhododendron (try the white Rhododendron fragrantissimum or creamy yellow R. johnstoneanum).
Grow herbs and edibles for scent
When space is tight outdoors we need to make plants work really hard for their position in the garden. If you’re keen to grow edibles that also have lovely scent, think about citrus. They not only produce beautiful fruit and lovely glossy foliage, but also their blossoms have an exquisite scent. In this sunny courtyard the potted citrus is underplanted with geraniums. Technically classified as Pelargonium, these herbs have all sorts of scents, from lemon and rose to apple, mint, cinnamon, peach and other spices. Add more lavender so there’s a triple whammy of fragrance to enjoy.
When space is tight outdoors we need to make plants work really hard for their position in the garden. If you’re keen to grow edibles that also have lovely scent, think about citrus. They not only produce beautiful fruit and lovely glossy foliage, but also their blossoms have an exquisite scent. In this sunny courtyard the potted citrus is underplanted with geraniums. Technically classified as Pelargonium, these herbs have all sorts of scents, from lemon and rose to apple, mint, cinnamon, peach and other spices. Add more lavender so there’s a triple whammy of fragrance to enjoy.
Plant for spring perfume
Spring is, of course, the ultimate season for fragrance in the garden. Start with daphne and follow up with scented bulbs such as freesia (Freesia sp), hyacinth and jonquils (Narcissus sp). Lilac shrubs (Syringa vulgaris, pictured) can be tricky to grow, but provide a delightful old-fashioned perfume.
In frost-free areas, the highly scented Australian frangipani tree (Hymenosporum flavum) blooms in spring, as does the loquat tree (Eriobotrya japonica). I also love the Bauhinia species and Cape lilac (Virgilia divaricata), which has pink, pea-like fragrant flowers. Finally, for a garden as encapsulating on the nose as on the eye, consider crab apple, New Zealand native cabbage trees (Cordyline australis) or flowering cherry trees, which produce beautifully perfumed blossom that sings a song of spring.
Spring is, of course, the ultimate season for fragrance in the garden. Start with daphne and follow up with scented bulbs such as freesia (Freesia sp), hyacinth and jonquils (Narcissus sp). Lilac shrubs (Syringa vulgaris, pictured) can be tricky to grow, but provide a delightful old-fashioned perfume.
In frost-free areas, the highly scented Australian frangipani tree (Hymenosporum flavum) blooms in spring, as does the loquat tree (Eriobotrya japonica). I also love the Bauhinia species and Cape lilac (Virgilia divaricata), which has pink, pea-like fragrant flowers. Finally, for a garden as encapsulating on the nose as on the eye, consider crab apple, New Zealand native cabbage trees (Cordyline australis) or flowering cherry trees, which produce beautifully perfumed blossom that sings a song of spring.
Guarantee summer scent
Roses are the all-time favourite flowers for perfume in summer but if these are not your thing there are plenty of other options. Think about scented waterlilies (Nymphaea odorata), the boronia from the citrus family (Boronia megastigma), gardenia, heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens), lavender, tropical frangipani, citrus trees, crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), oriental lilies (Lilium sp), luculia (Luculia gratissima is the most common), Magnolia grandiflora, sweet violets (Viola odorata) and, in cold climates, peonies (Paeonia lactiflora in all its gorgeous varieties).
Summer-flowering scented climbers include the enchanting but frost-tender Beaumontia grandiflora, Stephanotis floribunda, the waxy hoya (Hoya carnosa) and the exotic moonflower (Ipomoea alba), which has tubular white flowers that open at night. Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) has scented white flowers and will tolerate all but heavy frosts. In cooler areas, plant the splendid climbing wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) and perfumed climbing roses, such as Wedding Day and Madame Alfred Carriere.
Roses are the all-time favourite flowers for perfume in summer but if these are not your thing there are plenty of other options. Think about scented waterlilies (Nymphaea odorata), the boronia from the citrus family (Boronia megastigma), gardenia, heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens), lavender, tropical frangipani, citrus trees, crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), oriental lilies (Lilium sp), luculia (Luculia gratissima is the most common), Magnolia grandiflora, sweet violets (Viola odorata) and, in cold climates, peonies (Paeonia lactiflora in all its gorgeous varieties).
Summer-flowering scented climbers include the enchanting but frost-tender Beaumontia grandiflora, Stephanotis floribunda, the waxy hoya (Hoya carnosa) and the exotic moonflower (Ipomoea alba), which has tubular white flowers that open at night. Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) has scented white flowers and will tolerate all but heavy frosts. In cooler areas, plant the splendid climbing wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) and perfumed climbing roses, such as Wedding Day and Madame Alfred Carriere.
Add autumn and winter perfume
You don’t have to miss out on scent during the colder months – the sweet box (Sarcococca), pictured on the left, produces tiny flowers but their fragrance is mighty. Sweet-scented daphne is another option, along with many camellias, pink-flowering Luculia gratissima (in frost-free areas) and spicy witch hazel (Hamamelis sp) further south.
In late winter or early spring, the delicately scented starry white flowers of the star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) light up the garden.
TELL US
What are your favourite fragrant plants? Share them in the Comments.
Browse more garden ideas
You don’t have to miss out on scent during the colder months – the sweet box (Sarcococca), pictured on the left, produces tiny flowers but their fragrance is mighty. Sweet-scented daphne is another option, along with many camellias, pink-flowering Luculia gratissima (in frost-free areas) and spicy witch hazel (Hamamelis sp) further south.
In late winter or early spring, the delicately scented starry white flowers of the star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) light up the garden.
TELL US
What are your favourite fragrant plants? Share them in the Comments.
Browse more garden ideas
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Jonquils jonquils and more jonquils! And (although they are poisonous in every way) Brugmansia smell heavenly at night. Some melaleuca have lovely smelling foliage too. I also love Pennyroyal and have several large pots filled with pennyroyal that double as 'green' seats for picnics here - the air is filled with mintiness when we sit on them.
Port wine magnolia and wallflower and native wax flower
I have a Mandevillia that I got as cutting from my Grannie. It's white and the perfume is heavenly.