Episode: #6 7/10/2006
Presenter: Kim Syrus

The great joys of being in the garden are not only the wonderful splashes of colour but, also the amazing range of fragrances that fill the air. Creating your own scented garden is so easy. It is just a matter of putting the right plants in the right place.

Climbing roses are simply magic at combining colour, romance and fragrance. They create a wonderful wall of flower and foliage and it only takes each bloom to carry just a little scent to fill the yard with a heady perfume.

Another fragrant climber, that is so easy to grow, is Star Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum). It is a brilliant performer and continuous clusters of tiny white star shaped blooms really stand out against the thick dark foliage. It doesn?t mind a bit of harsh treatment to keep it in shape either.

There are plenty of old time fragrant favourites too. Bulbs like freesias (Freesia Hybrid Cultivar) are always great at bringing a gentle perfume to the yard. While Lantana (Lantana camara), though an environmental weed, can still be found perfuming older gardens throughout Adelaide.

Don?t just think it is flowering plants that have all the fragrance. Most of the intense perfumes in the garden can be found in the foliage. Just bruise a rosemary leaf and you will find it filled with scented oils. There are so many different ways to use aromatic foliage in the garden.

Paths are ideal places to combine both flower and foliage. Lavender (Lavandula) is always a great choice. Look at planting a line of the same variety along a path edge as this both defines the path and makes it feel longer. Place the plants close to the edge so that they spill into the walkway. The flowers will both please and perfume while the foliage will catch passing legs, gently bruising the leaves and releasing their intense scent.

Herbs like Thyme, Catmint and Pennyroyal are great planted in between stepping stones. They are super tough and need very little water; just the odd sprinkle will keep them going. As you walk along the path, a step here or there is all that is needed to crush the odd leaf, leaving the oil to release its aromatic fragrance.

Pots by doorways and stairs are also brilliant places to catch a passer-by. Spreading leaves will bruise with a touch and create a special perfumed corner.

Plant up a mixed herb hanging basket and then place it near a post or other hanging baskets. Even the gentlest of breezes will move the pots, touching the foliage and release a sweet scent. They are Ideal on a patio or even better if placed near the backdoor.