Scent is the extra element in garden, scented planting can completely delight. For the best results, site scented shrubs in, enclosed spaces and near to paths where the scent can flood over the passer by. Here are a selection of shrubs that flower and produce scent through all four seasons.

Winter: There are a large number of winter flowering shrubs and most are scented. See the Scented Winter Garden Blog of February 2016.

Sarcococca confusa: A small evergreen shrub with small glossy dark green leaves, with a spreading habit. Tiny clusters of white flowers are produced along the stem and flower from January to February, with a very strong scent. Grow in a humus rich soil in semi-shade.

Lonicera x purpusii ‘Winter Beauty’: A medium sized shrub up to 2/2.5m, it is not the ‘prettiest’ shrub on the block, but the scent is worth it’s place I the garden. It has a sprawling habit with crossing branches, a semi-evergreen shrub, with mid -green leaves. Flower buds form on bare stems, in late December through to early February, with clusters of white/cream highly scented flowers. Grow on any good free draining soil in sun or a little shade.

Spring: Brings a whole plethora of scented shrubs, you are spoilt for choice.

Daphne pontica: A small rounded evergreen shrub, with clusters of spidery yellow-green flowers produced April into May, which are deliciously fragrant in the evenings. Tolerant of poor soil and shade.

 

Viburnum cariesii: A wonderful medium sized shrub up to 2.5m, with grey green leaves and large waxy round headed white/blush coloured flowers which are highly scented and in flower from April into May. Good free draining soil in full sun.

Summer: There are the usual candidates, Lavender and Roses, but there are other shrubs toconsider that pack a serious scented punch.

Philadelphus ‘Beau Clerk’: Large shrub with a arching habit 2.5/3m in height. With large single white flowers with a cerise splash basal markings, sweetly scented, produced June to July. Full sun good free draining soil.

Syinga meyeri ‘Palibin’: A lovely Lilac for a small garden, a small to medium sized shrub with a dense habit. With a mass of panicles of mauve to soft rose pink highly scented flowers produced in late May to June. Full sun good garden soil.

Autumn: A fewer number of choices but there are still scented shrubs to bring fragrance into your garden as the days shorten.

Viburnum x bondnatense ‘Charles Lamont’ : An upright shrub to 2.5m, with tall stems and mid-green leaves. The bare stems start to bud up with clusters of pink flowers which open in November with a strong delicious scent. Good soil sun or semi-shade.

Mahonia eurybracteata subso.ganpinensis’Soft Caress’: Yes it is a little bit of a mouthful of a name  but this Mahonia, has all the scent of larger varieties but without the spiny leaves. It makes a small neat evergreen mounded shrub up to 1/1.3m and has delicate thin leaflets, with a mass of flower spikes of yellow fragrant flowers, produced in October and November. Grow in humus rich soil in sun or part shade.

All of these shrubs would be a wonderful addition to your garden planting, I hope I have inspired you to think more about scent in your garden.

If you want help creating a scented boarder or garden, then I know just the woman to help you, give me Emily a ring on 01273 470753 and I can help you design your new scented planting.