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| Scented pelargoniums in pots next to patio chairs |
Do you dream of sitting watching the sun go down, on a terrace in the Mediterranean, in short sleeves with a cold drink in your hand? Well you can easily create that atmosphere (when the sun finally comes out) by surrounding yourself with scented foliage and aromatic herbs. Here are six aromatic plants you should have within reach of your favourite patio seat:
A
great way to transport yourself to the Med is to place the right plants as
close as you can to your garden seating, so that minimal effort is required to
lean over, give them a rub, and enjoy their various remarkable fragrances. They
release their essential oils when you handle them or brush against them. Why
not try these:
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Pin for later:
1. Scented Pelargoniums are amazing! Rub them with your fingers and then have a sniff and you are in for a surprise. There are a wide range of varieties, with scents of apple, orange, lemon, mint, roses, pine and plenty of others. It always seems strange to pick up such distinctive smells of a totally different plant. They are fabulous next to a seat where you can fondle them and breathe them in.
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| Scented leaf pelargoniums in pots |
2. Santolina is also known as Cotton Lavender. It has similar coloured foliage to lavender, but gives off a different, but equally delightful fragrance when the leaves are rubbed or crushed. It forms soft silver grey cushions, which I like to keep clipped to prevent it producing its tiny yellow flowers and also stop it sprawling too much.
3. Rosemary
– Grows into a fairly large shrub, another great herb to add to meat dishes during
cooking. Rosemary is evergreen so it will look good all year round as well as smelling great when you touch it.
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| Prostrate rosemary hangs down this wall alongside a bench |
4. Lavender
– There are several varieties available in most garden centres. I prefer the English lavender (lav. angustifolia) as they always seem to have a stronger more pungent fragrance, which they release at the slightest touch.. “Hidcote” is a very good and widely available variety.
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| Lavender |
5. Sage
– Common Sage (Salvia officianalis) is another culinary herb that can be added
to cooking. In the garden it has a lovely smell. There is also a purple variety,
and a couple that have leaves that smell of pineapple. And they really do
smell strongly of pineapple! Weird and wonderful!
6. Oregano
– A staple of Italian pasta sauces, oregano really adds a flavour of the
Mediterranean to both your dinner and your garden.
Including
aromatic plants adds an extra dimension to the experience of being in
the garden. Sitting in the garden you can easily enjoy the sights and sounds, but adding any of these six plants to your
garden will let you experience the
touch and smell of it as well.
Here in the Pacific Northwest (nearly 48° N), "when the sun finally comes out" is so true! Enjoyed this article very much. I have to bring my pelargoniums inside in winter, but the lavender and sage are generally fine if plant in a raised area so they don't get wet feet and mulch in winter. I love the scent of wormwood so have added it, thyme and oregano throughout my garden -- the herbs seem to help repel any snails or slugs in tbis wet climate as well!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, sounds like your climate is quite similar to here. Wormwood (Artemisia) is a good suggestion, I have one elsewhere in the garden for its silver grey foliage. Enjoy your garden!
ReplyDelete