The scented garden…How to add intriguing scent to your garden throughout the growing season and beyond.
Are you a lover of flower or herbal fragrances? If you are like most people, you definitely are, even if you are not aware of it.
I know that may sound a little strange to make such a statement as surely you would know whether you love the scent of flowers and foliage but just for a moment, I would like you to suspend that belief.
You see almost everything we use today has some scent incorporated into it and that includes the so-called unscented product as the ingredients themselves often have a distinctive scent. Think of shea butter or coconut oil, although there is no added fragrance, they still have a natural fragrance.
Scent plays an integral role in our wellbeing, so it only makes sense to add interesting aromas to your garden. You won’t need to become an aromatherapist to get it right, you only need to think of specific scent you find pleasing and relaxing.
Do you like lavender? Personally, I find this is somewhat a marmite scent, folks either love it or hate it and there seems to be very little in-between, but have you considered Cedar. Lemon verbena or Chamomile?
When considering adding scent to the garden people often think of the old standbys like Roses, Bearded Iris or Oriental lilies yet there is a vast array of flowers, herbs and shrubbery that will also add scent to the garden. Try adding Dianthus, commonly known as Sweet William or Carnations, to borders along pathways or a rockery, it is often considered the quintessential cottage garden flower but can be just as easily incorporated into a formal or modern garden too.
A Lilac shrub /tree can bathe the garden in a heady scent in the early spring and will bloom just as your Hyacinths and Daffodils are dying off. If it’s an unsightly wall or shed you can opt for some of the vining plants such as Honeysuckle, Wisteria or Sweet pea, not only will they give you wonderful aromas, but they can serve a functional purpose as well.
If you like to spend evenings in the garden you can add some Nicotiana, Star Jasmine or Evening primrose to produce a beautiful aroma to the warm summer nights.
You don’t have to stop at flowers as many common herbs can add to the scented garden as well as adding flavour to your cooking, think of Basil, Rosemary, Sage and Thyme, all will add wonderful depth of scent to the garden, especially if freshly trimmed.
Just start thinking of those aromas that made you feel peaceful and happy in your childhood and then bring that back to life in your garden.
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