Today I spent a delightful morning at Petersham Nurseries drinking coffee and learning about scents. The lovely Thomas took us through a number of plants that can be used along paths, in doorways and patios to create heavenly atmosphere. Apparently the most fragrant plants flower in winter and summer which filled me with joy as I am trying to make my garden more cheerful for the dreary cold months. Summer is not such a big issue for this tea rose and sweet pea lover.
The winter section was very interesting and the list of plants that can beautify my dull winter garden is growing. The one that I must get is Viburnum Dawn with small balls of pink flowers. Another plant worth contemplating is Daphne which my neighbours have got and every time I pass by I have to stop and have a sniff.
What are your favourite scented plants?
we have a very large calycanthus shrub that was on our property when we moved into our home. i had never heard of this plant before as they are not common in seattle. but it is one of my most favorite smells. it smells like sweet wine or cherries and blooms in the summer. and i love the smell of daphne even though i always forget the name of it.
You’ve got a lot of nice stuff there :)
there are two flowering plants i hope to have in my garden some day: lilac and honeysuckle. there was a lilac bush below my bedroom window when i was a child and it was heaven smelling that scent in spring. i guess honeysuckle is basically a weed but it’s scent makes me so happy, again reminiscent of childhood summers.
I don’t think you can beat the scent of old roses but my favourite would have to be night scented stock. My dad used to grow these from seed, mixed with Virginia stock, and the scent in the garden on a warm summer’s evening was heavenly.
Petersham Nurseries is definitely on my list of places to visit the next time in in England. I’ve heard and seen too many charming and sweet things about it, even from people who aren’t garden enthusiasts! I love lavender, dried lavender in particular. That scent can’t be beat for me!
Ara Jane, calycanthus looks stunning and anything smelling of cherries is a winner.
Anna B, yes, lucky me ;)
Victoria, I love lilac, I have one in my garden from the previous owner so very well established. And there is honeysuckle falling into my garden from the outside. Honeysuckle was covered in this lecture too. Both plants have such beautiful flowers.
lovethosecupcakes: roses are amazing but I never thought of stocks, I will have to think about getting them. It reminds me of I Capture the Castle, there is a night scene of swimming in a moat and there are some night scented stocks.
Erin: It has got to be my favourite and I grow so much of it. It was included in the lecture too, how could it not be! And you can grow it in window boxes or even inside.
you always manage some fabulousness!