Summer Scents

Summer scents come in many varieties within the garden. Not only deliciously scented and good to look at, but also attractive to wildlife offering an abundance of pollen and nectar.

An old cottage garden favourite is the Phlox (Phlox paniculata). There is nothing like a Phlox to epitomise the scent of a Summer perennial border.

Phlox paniculata

A plant with a slightly strange scent is the Houttuynia. The leaves have an orangy slightly metallic scent to them when lightly crushed. Some don't like the scent but to most people it is just unusual.

Strangely enough the leaves are perfectly edible, best when picked younger in Spring or early Summer, they can be eaten raw in salads or lightly steamed. Eaten raw they have an orangey tang to them that lingers in the mouth for some time. Houttuynia is easy to grow if given the right conditions. Although it is really a pond side plant enjoying moist to wet conditions, any good soil will sustain it. In fact it can spread with abandon although not to be a pest.

This is Houttuynia cordata flora plena, plain leaved but with double flowers. Not quite so easy to find as Houttuynia cordata 'Chameleon' which has striking variegated leaves. Still edible so don't let the colours put you off trying it.

For sheer scent power the Jasmines are hard to beat. On still Summer air the scent drifts across the garden filling the air with perfume, a must have in any garden.

Jasmine Clotted Cream

Jasmine clotted cream has deliciously creamy flowers instead of the pure white of Jasmine officinalis. Both have the same scent power. Every garden should have one twining somewhere.