If your garden could do with some extra scent and colour, we have many flowering shrubs, climbers and perennials that peak in summer. Having scented plants in the garden is one of the simplest ways to make your outdoor space feel more immersive and enjoyable. Colour pleases the eyes, but scent adds an entirely new dimension. A garden that smells as beautiful as it looks feels richer, warmer and more alive. It turns a space into a place; somewhere you want to linger, relax, and breathe in deeply.
Fragrance is strongly linked to memory. The smell of Wisteria, Lavender or Jasmine can instantly bring back childhood gardens, holidays abroad, or simply create new moments you associate with peace and comfort. Scented plants make a garden emotionally meaningful, not just visually attractive.
Climbers
Jasminum officinale ‘Clotted Cream’ (Jasmine) – A deciduous climber with very fragrant, cream flowers in summer and early autumn. They are admired for their perfume, vigorous growth and graceful appearance.
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine) – This is a vigorous, evergreen, woody climber which can reach between 8-12m in height. With twining stems, glossy dark green, oval leaves, often turning deep bronze-red in winter, it’s a wonderful addition to any sunny garden. Clusters of highly fragrant, small white flowers smother the foliage from mid to late summer.
Wisteria brachybotrys ‘Okayama’ – This Japanese wisteria which also goes by the name of ‘Yokohama Fuji’, is another anticlockwise twining cultivar. Leaves are up to 35cm long with about 11 downy leaflets and flowers hang in sprays 10-15cm long. The April – June floral display is highly impressive as scented flowers open from rich violet buds to pale lilac.
Wisteria brachybotrys ‘Shiro-kapitan’ – Another ‘silky’ wisteria ‘Shiro-kapitan’ is an anticlockwise twining cultivar. Leaves can reach up to 35cm long with about 11 downy leaflets. Flowers hang in sprays 10-15cm long, are white with a central yellow stain and highly scented. This beautifully elegant variety is great for training up a pergola or trellis near to where the fragrance can be enjoyed.
Wisteria floribunda f. alba ‘Shiro-noda’ – A deciduous climber prized for its long, cascading racemes of fragrant, pure white flowers. Blooming in late spring to early summer, the elegant clusters hang gracefully from trained branches, creating a spectacular floral display. Its vigorous twining habit makes it ideal for pergolas, arches, walls, or other garden structures, while lush green foliage provides summer interest once the flowers fade. ‘Shiro-noda’ thrives in full sun or partial shade with moist but well-drained soil. Combining dramatic blooms, enchanting fragrance, and architectural form, it makes a breathtaking focal point in any garden.
Shrubs
Choisya × dewitteana White Dazzler – Commonly known as Mexican Blossom this highly fragrant evergreen shrub is a useful addition to any garden. Mound forming this neat shrub is exceptionally free flowering in spring and often late summer into autumn. Height and spread 0.5-1 metre. Grow in a sunny sheltered aspect on well drained soil.
Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender)
Philadelphus ‘Manteau d’Hermine’ – Also known as Mock Orange. A compact deciduous shrub with small ovate leaves and fragrant flowers creamy-white that form in clusters in summer. On warm evenings the blossom fragrance floats on the breeze. Perfect for a small garden or spot where border space is limited.
Rosmarinus off. ‘Miss Jessopp’s Upright’ (Rosemary) – This is a strong, upright, bushy evergreen variety known for its tall, column shape and beautifully aromatic foliage. It is one of the most structural rosemary cultivars, ideal for gardeners who want height, form and year round foliage without taking up too much horizontal space.
Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Roman Beauty’ (Rosemary) – A compact, evergreen Rosemary cultivar known for its dense, aromatic foliage and violet / blue flowers that appear in late spring and early summer. It has a naturally tidy, slightly arching habit and stays much smaller than traditional varieties, making it ideal for smaller gardens and patios.
Feeling inspired?
If you would like to start the first step of your journey with us then get in touch to book our consultancy service.
For just £75*, our experienced horticulturalists will provide tailored guidance to bring your vision to life. Whether you’re interested in fast-growing solutions for quick impact, seeking the enduring beauty of evergreen plants or looking to add colour and fragrance, we can offer expert advice.
**£75 fee applies if you live within a 15-mile radius of our office. Additional fees apply outside this area. All costs include VAT.