For a large facade
The white Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis var. sinensis f. alba) is breathtaking when its long bee-friendly flower racemes open in May and June. No wonder one has pride of place on Highgrove House. The Chinese wisterias exude incredible scent, and while the purple varieties (such as ‘Prolific’) are deservedly popular, the white forms are bewitching.
Site: sheltered sun
Height: 12 metres or more
For a medium facade
The climbing rose ‘Étoile de Hollande’ will clad a south or west-facing house with crimson-red flowers that glow in the sun above rich-green leaves. The blooms exude a wonderful scent from June to October. Introduced in 1931, this is the superior climbing sport of an old Hybrid Tea rose.
Site: full sun
Height: 5 metres or more
‘Blush Noisette’
Paul Starosta
For a small facade
The original Noisette rose, ‘Blush Noisette’ is a cottage-garden gem. Throughout summer, this little climber throws out clusters of small semi-double scented flowers that flush through shades of rose, powder pink, and white above the grass-green leaves. It’s perfect for a south-facing terraced house, an apartment balcony, or a summerhouse.
Site: full sun
Height: 2 metres or more
For a wildlife garden
In summer, our native woodbine or common honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) fills the garden with perfume from its spidery cream and gold flowers. This dreamy scent becomes more powerful at dusk because the plant feeds moths; long-tongued bumblebees also sup the nectar during the day; and birds – including bullfinches – like the autumn berries. ‘Graham Thomas’ is an excellent variety.
Site: the base of the plant needs to be in semi-shade
Height: 7 metres
The front steps of Christopher Masson’s south London home are framed by an eriobotrya tree and Trachelospermum jasminoides on the wall, yew topiary and seasonal pots.
Alister Thorpe
For an urban garden
If you’re lucky to garden in the warmth of an urban microclimate, the star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) offers size, scent, and style. The jasmine-like starry white flowers fill the air with a beautiful tea scent in July and August, and the glossy evergreen leaves catch the light, offer good coverage, and sometimes blush copper-red in winter.
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