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Plants with aromatic foliage like Juniper, Bay and Citrus trees need to be close to
pathways so that the leaves can be rubbed releasing their scent. Add in plants for
floral scents: flowers that delight the senses like Jasmines, Passionflowers, Elder,
Rose and Buddleias; or ones that permeate the evenings like Yesterday-today-tomorrow
(Brunfelsia), Moonflowers (Brugmansia) and Night-scented cactus (Epiphyllum).

Travel a little in your garden: add in Frangipanis to conjure up tropical holidays
with their exotic scent, or Curry trees, their leaves bring southern India to your
doorstep. Herbs like Oregano and Thyme can transport you to the Mediterranean
or Mint to Moroccan tea shops, Coriander to the kitchens of South East Asia: all
you need for your portal is a plant.

Leave some space for trees with scented foliage that you love or that you can use
for medicine like Eucalyptus. Plant invasive ones in large pots for easy management
like Pepper and Syringa trees. Always bring in the scent of home by adding in some
indigenous species, like our Acacias. The flowers of the indigenous Bride’s bush
(Pavetta zeyheri); Wild Gardenia (Gardenia thunbergia), and Wild Honeysuckle tree
(Turraea obtusifolia) are a treat.

A scented garden should contain all the smells that you love, a cauldron of magic
to replenish the spirits and one of those essential ingredients is the smell of cut
lawn, but if you don’t have the space or would prefer a garden without it, then
keep an area of indigenous grasses, the smell after rain will evoke images of wild
savannah plains. Text & photos by S.C

Previous page, clockwise: Basil; Rosemary, Dianthus, Hyacinth, Freesia; Petunia & Pansy
Above: Rose, Elder, Acacia, Pavetta zeyheri
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