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What plants for scent and height?

clairehalligan9clairehalligan9 Posts: 2
in Garden design

Hi, I've recently bought a lovely bench for my garden with 2 big planter pots attached to either side of the seat, see pic, and I just can't decide what to plant in it? I would like something that has a bit of height, would be nice if it was scented so you could sit and smell it in the sunshine. It can't really be something that gets too bushy as I wouldnt want it to compromise the seating area, and finally, something that lasts through the year. Any suggestions? Or combinations of plants? Thanks  

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Posts

  • AuntyRachAuntyRach Posts: 5,103

    So many scented plants to choose from... depends what you like the smell of but you can't beat Lavender when you brush past it - delicious. Phlox is lovely, plus is quite high for a perennial. Herbs would be good too. I am a huge fan of scented Pelergoniums and have those on my patio. If you are able to fit some canes or trellis in the planters then you could have sweet peas, jasmine or a scented clematis maybe...

    My garden and I live in South Wales. 
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 6,911

    Best thing for scent would be a little clump of night scented stocks in one end. They are small, inconsequential flowers with an amazing scent in the evening. Maybe have those with a tall soft grass that will give the height you want and also make a lovely sound - very restful. At the other end something with a daytime scent - as AuntyRach suggested, scented pelargoniumor lavender. Another one is chocolate cosmos. Or a lemon verbena which doesn't waft scent but if you crush a leaf has the very best lemon scent there is.

    Scent is quite personal - it depends whether you like floral or fresh (mint?) or spicy (lupins or clove pinks?).

    You may have to wander round the garden centre sniffing for scents you like image

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,457

    I bought a plant in a garden centre once because it smelled so gorgeous.  It was the Nemesia.  I haven't managed to get it through a winter but blimey, it's strongly scented.  Nemesia Wisley Vanilla I think it was.  Not terribly tall though.

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,416

    You could grow a variety of things in pots, and then swap them in and out of the planters as they come into bloom... e.g. conifers with bulbs / primroses for winter/spring, Lilium regale for high summer, etc etc.

  • Mark56Mark56 Posts: 1,653

    I was looking at getting one of these to replace the bench at the end of the garden too, where did you get it from? image

    I'd do as Will suggested if it were mine, you could use herbs for scent for summer too. 

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