8 hours Ago By Jessica Knibbs
There’s nothing quite as magical as enjoying a warm, sunny day in the garden , breathing in the fresh air. A garden filled with the most heavenly scents makes this even better – and now gardeners have advised on the plants you can bring to your yard or terrace to help take the smell of summer to a whole new level. From the heavenly aroma of lavender to the fruity tint of gardenia , fragrant plants are known to bring an array of enchanting smells that pack a punch.
Experts advise that getting stuck into the gardening of these plants now could ensure a sensory retreat like no other in your garden this summer. Morris Hankinson, founder of Hopes Grove Nurseries Ltd , and landscaper and gardening expert Steven Bell spoke to Ideal Home to offer their top three plants for a perfect-smelling garden that’ll be all the envy of your friends. Best of all, many of these plants do not require a large garden and work well even if you’ve only enough space for a selection of pots.
Hankinson explained: “Whether your garden has a patio or your garden is a patio, there are many fragrant plants that will not only provide your garden with colour but also bring plenty of floral fragrance as well.” Widely considered to have one of the most pleasant and calming scents around, lavender’s smell comes down to a complicated mix of aromatic compounds, which all work together to create a floral and sweet aroma for your garden. Hankinson added: “Yes, it’s the most obvious choice, but it’s for a reason.
“All you have to do is brush past some lavender flowers to be hit with that scent – which is, incidentally, delightfully calming and very good for you. “The purple, pink, white and lilac flowers, depending on the variety, are perfect for pollinators and will bring patio pots to life.” He added that it’s important to remember that lavenders need well-drained soil and that the plant is “drought tolerant but will need watering when growing in a container”.
He also said: “Prune it regularly to keep it thriving.” Now is the best time to plant some spring bulbs. They are often among the ultimate plants considered great for smells, producing pleasant aromas all around.
Morris added: “Spring bulbs can provide a much-needed lift after winter and plenty of fragrance. “Hyacinths particularly are highly scented, there are many narcissi with fragrance and even some tulips. “Plant up a container with a bulb lasagne, layering the bulbs for a burst of spring scent.
” The exotic aroma of jasmine comes down to a unique combination of aromatic compounds found in their flowers, which contribute to an enchanting smell. Morris explained: “Jasmine has a sweet, intoxicating fragrance with pretty flowers from orange to yellow and pink, the fragrance is even better in the evening and is a magnet for pollinators.” Morris further advises to opt for white jasmines instead and to plant them in “well-drained soil, full sun and with support such as a trellis, fence or canes”.
.
