Guest Author - Hellie T.

Whether you have a small or large garden, a few plants in pots or a just a tiny plot you can always find room for some scented plants.
Nothing can be better than the fragrance of your flowers as you open the door or stroll down the path.

How to bring scent into your English Garden.

If your garden is windy and open then you must create pockets of stillness so you can enjoy the fragrances before they get blown away.
Many of the great English Gardens have walls around them and this creates stillness. Of course this is impossible for most of us – although some gardens may already have walls or fences around them.

You can create the best conditions for enjoying scent by planting

Evergreen shrubs or medium height trees as they make good windbreaks.
Deciduous shrubs and trees intermixed with evergreens also provide good shelter.
Trellis can be used as it filters the wind and be used to break up windy sites.
Plant up a spot near to the house using the walls as shelter


Making Layers of Scent.

Remember that you want to create scents at varying levels so you feel surrounded by scent whether standing or sitting.

Trellis, fences, walls, arbours and arches in the garden can be covered with fragrant climbing plants.

Have pots of scented plants by your door so the fragrance greets you as you open the door.
Window boxes can be filled with scented herbs and flowers so when you open the window you can breathe in their delicious scents.

Garden seats can be underplanted with lavenders or thymes.
Patios can have an arrangement or containers which hold your favourite scented flowers.

Paving can be planted with thymes, mints or camomiles which will release their scents as you walk across them.

Borders can be edged in great swathes of lavender or pinks. Roses and lavender are a great combination.


Here is my selection that will thrive in a sunny spot in your English Garden – see if you can find a spot for some of them and enjoy their wonderful perfumes.


Scented Annuals for an English Garden.
Antirrhinums, Nasturtiums, Pot marigolds, Poached egg plants, Night scented stock, Nicotiana, Sweet peas, Sweet Scabious.

Sweet Rocket is a perennial but does best from new plants so sow some annually for a wonderful show - a really lovely English Garden staple.

Scented Shrubs.
Buddleja – great for attracting butterflies, Daphnes, Lilacs, Magnolias, Mahonias, Mock orange, Myrtles, Ornamental quinces, Rhododendron Lutem, Witch hazels.

Scented Climbers
Roses, small flowered clematis, Jasmine, Honeysuckles, Wisteria and annual Sweet Peas.

Scented Bulbs
Crocus – good for pots and containers, English Bluebells, Hyacinths, Madonna Lily, Narcissus, and look out for some scented tulips.

Enjoy your English Garden.