10 award winning shrubs with fragrant leaves
In summer, and in sunny situations in particular, scented leaves add a whole new dimension to gardens
The aromatic oils in foliage give off their most powerful scent when plants enjoy hot, sunny situations – and that tells us the best sites for most of these plants. All the recommendations below enjoy sunny conditions; many appreciate well-drained or even dry soil.
If you plant them close to paths and patios you can bruise or crush the leaves as you pass to enjoy their fragrance. See below for a selection of RHS Award of Garden Merit-winning shrubs with fragrant foliage.
Also known as wormwoods, artemisias are a group of fragrant silvery plants that appreciate a warm, sunny spot. One of the most widely-grown silver foliage plants, both in sunny borders and in containers, is Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ – closely related to the tree wormwood, Artemisia arborescens (see photo). Developing into a dense and bushy shrub, it makes a delightful specimen in smaller plantings, a good 'mixer' in larger beds and an excellent companion in large containers. The leaves are split, and split again, into lovely, slender slivers. 60cm (2ft).
The smell of the foliage of Clerodendrum trichotomum var. fargesii receives mixed reviews. The jury's out but I personally think that the occasional common name of 'peanut butter tree' gives a better indication of its intriguing aroma. The real charm belongs to its bronzed young growth, and masses of white, sweetly scented late summer flowers followed by bright pink and blue berries. 3m (10ft). H4.
In August and September, Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’ is a real star. Since spring, its upright grey-felted stems have been developing and carrying finely-divided grey foliage which is a treat in itself. Then well-branched heads of small, lavender-blue flowers come out, creating a perfect combination with the foliage. And the aroma? A blend of lavender and sage. 1m (3ft).
The flowering currant, Ribes sanguineum, is the most dependably prolific of spring-flowering shrubs. The crushed foliage has a distinctive and much more appealing fragrance. White Icicle ('Ubric') opens earlier than most, is less vigorous than most and has impressively long strings of pure white flowers with no hints of pink, creating a pristine look. 1.8m (6ft).
There are relatively few cultivars of culinary sage, but for foliage effect Salvia officinalis ‘Berggarten’ is the star. Producing very few flower spikes to detract from the attractive leaves, each leaf is unusually broad and comes in a lovely silvery-grey colouring. Making a rounded dome, ‘Berggarten’ provides plenty of leaves for the kitchen and is an effective small specimen shrub in a sunny place. 60cm (2ft).
The appeal of santolinas, the cotton lavenders, lies in their finely-dissected foliage, their distinctive scent and the pretty, button-like flowers. In Santolina rosmarinifolia subsp. rosmarinifolia ‘Primrose Gem’ the leaves are an unusually bright green while the mass of flowers are delightful primrose yellow – all held on a twiggy little shrub that responds well to annual spring pruning. 60cm (2ft).
