Garden boss Chris Bonnett from GardeningExpress.co.uk is encouraging gardeners to not only focus on the flowers’ appearance, but also embrace the sensory effect by planting fragrant flowers that will make your garden smell fresh all summer. Planting fragrant flowers will make spending time in the garden even more enjoyable, as every time you step outside, you get a whiff of that sweet summer scent. Popular picks for a fragrant garden include lavender, sweet peas, and garden phlox, all of which are easy to plant now and will bloom beautifully throughout July and August.
You could also consider planting night-scented stock which releases the scent after the sun goes down, making it perfect for enjoying the warm summer evenings in your outdoor seating area. Scented-leaf pelargoniums, like the name already suggests, are also perfect for bringing fragrances into your garden, as they’re cultivated primarily for their aromatic leaves that come in a variety of scents, including rose, eucalyptus, peppermint and lemon.
Not only do fragrant flowers make your garden look and smell wonderful, they also attract beneficial pollinators. Scented blooms appeal to bees and butterflies who help fertilise plants and contribute to a healthy garden ecosystem.
Whether you’re working with flower beds, borders or pots, there’s still time to add a splash of scent that will last all summer long.
There are seven flowers to plant for a fragrant summer garden:
1. Sweet pea
Many gardeners’ favourite flower, sweet pea has a strong and sweet scent, making it the perfect addition for a fragrant summer garden. Sweet peas have delicate, ruffled blooms that add a touch of elegance to any garden.
2. Lavender
Lavender is known for its distinct and intense aroma. It has a fresh, herbal scent with soothing floral notes that instantly evokes a sense of calm, making it a popular plant for aromatherapy.
3. Scented-leaf pelargoniums
Unlike traditional geraniums, these varieties are grown primarily for their scented leaves which release fragrance when rubbed. There’s a wide range of scents to choose from, including peppermint, lemon, orange, apple and rose.
4. Night-scented stock
The night-scented stock comes to life after the sun goes down, releasing a sweet, clove-like scent. Consider planting this beautiful flower close to seating areas so you can enjoy the pleasant fragrance during warm summer evenings.
5. Cosmos
Cosmos flowers have a lighter scent, making them ideal for gardeners who prefer a gentler fragrance in their outdoor space. Their scent is often described as chocolate-like, which is especially prominent in the cosmos atrosanguineus variety.
6. Tobacco plant
Tobacco plant has a sweet, jasmine-like fragrance that becomes especially strong in the evening, making it perfect for patios or seating areas.