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Good scents for a fragrant summer garden

by: Sheena Adams | Image: Terry Guscott / Stylist: Heather Cameron
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Adding these 12 fragrant annuals to your garden makes very good scents indeed

Of all the things we remember, smell may be the most powerful. On a physiological and emotional level, its influence registers deeply. An unpleasant odour can trigger a lifelong food aversion, whereas a delightful fragrance can become deeply ingrained as a pleasing memory. As gardeners we all have a library of much-loved fragrances that we associate with the past: perhaps Grandma’s sweet lilacs or the climbing rose over Mom’s arbour. More than likely, many of our plant purchases are decided by such good scents.


When considering fragrance, choose plants that bloom in succession for a long season of enjoyment. Strongly perfumed plants that flower simultaneously should be placed some distance from each other or the result may be overpowering. Feed your fragrant plants prior to blooming, not while blooming. 


One landscaping job I recall fondly was for a wonderful client, Beverly, whose only requirement was fragrance. We decided on winter-blooming Himalayan sweetbox, a collection of fragrant spring bulbs including hyacinth and mini-narcissus, spring-blooming choisya, summer-blooming lilies, roses and lavender, and late-blooming autumn clematis. For fragrance that soared into the sky I chose sweet honeysuckle, Clematis montana and climbing roses (including a favourite for low light, ‘New Dawn’).


I learned that while fragrance comes in many forms – bulbs, perennials, shrubs, trees, vines – it can also be easily and instantly added each spring in the form of annuals. Inexpensive and in infinite colours and variations, fragrant annuals add that summer wow to our hanging baskets, patio planters and window boxes. They also attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees, further extending that feeling of well-being in our gardens.


Sheena's best fragrant annuals

BASIL BOXWOOD: Amazing basil boxwood has tight mounds of small leaves and resembles boxwood. It is a highly ornamental and fragrant edging for the patio or a container. And the edible leaves are great for pesto! Available from Burpee. 


HELIOTROPE ‘SIMPLY SCENTSATIONAL’: The traditional baby-powder fragrance this plant is famous for is packaged into a soft-purple bloom with a yellow eye, unlike the traditional blue heliotrope. Deadheading is unnecessary and it’s tolerant of salt, drought and heat – perfect for coastal climates. Available from Proven Winners.


HELIOTROPE ‘MARINE’: This heliotrope is wonderfully exotic with dark-green leaves and large intense-blue flower clusters with an unforgettable vanilla fragrance. Heliotrope’s flowers are a first choice for every scented bouquet and will transform a terrace into a perfumed retreat. Available from Proven Winners and Veseys.


LOBULARIA ‘SNOW PRINCESS’: A fragrant mound of white blooms all summer long, this power plant puts all of its energy into flowers and scent. Tolerant of hot sun and requires no deadheading. A great addition to the alyssum family, and bumblebees and butterflies love it! Available from Proven Winners.


NEMESIA‘CHEEKY’: 
Masses of miniature lavender snapdragon-like blooms with a yellow eye, heavily fragrant. Flowers early, compact, and bred to bloom all season. Available from Tried and True. 


NEMESIA ‘VANILLA SACHET’: This basket and container stuffer trails with soft puffy blooms of white and yellow with a sweet vanilla fragrance. Available from The Flower Fields.


NICOTIANA ‘PERFUME MIX’: Another fragrant cut flower that is easy to grow from seed. A full colour range of deep purple, white, pink and red. Available from Veseys.


SEVEN-WEEK MIX STOCKS: A wonderful seed blend of clove-scented stocks with strong branches and hard stems, excellent for cutting. A colour palette of blue, white, yellow, pink, yellow, and fiery and carmine reds. Available from Veseys. 


SUPERTUNIA ‘PRISCILLA’: Tolerant of cooler weather, this semi-double deep-veined purple bloom, loaded with sweet scent, can be planted early. Easy maintenance with limited deadheading and a wonderful cascading habit. Butterflies and hummingbirds adore it. Available from Proven Winners.


SWEET PEA ‘CUPANI’: This heirloom sweet pea can be traced back to 1699. Two small flowers per stem with vibrant shades of red and purple and intense fragrance. Available from Renee’s Garden, McKenzie Seeds. 


SWEET PEAS ‘SCENTSATION MIX’: Usually planted from seeds, this blend will perform all summer when planted in cooler areas of the summer garden. Excellent for cutting with four to five flowers on every long stem. Available from West Coast Seeds.


VERBENA ‘LANAI LAVENDER STAR’: A heavily fragrant trailing verbena, loved by butterflies and hummingbirds. The soft-lilac/white-striped bloom atop ferny deep-green foliage adds texture to containers.