No room for raised beds, bountiful borders or a sprawling wildflower lawn? Worry not, you can turn a small space into a sweetly-scented oasis by growing fragrant flowers in pots on a patio.
Gardening guru Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres, advises: "Choosing blooms that earn their place as well as looking lovely. You want plants that flower well, cope happily in containers and give you scent where you’ll actually notice it: beside a deck, near a doorway or along a path."
With that in mind, here's what to grow:
1. Lavender
A classic for a reason, lavender is reliable, beautifully scented and loves a sunny, free-draining spot. Plant it in a pot with good drainage, using a gritty compost mix, and place it in full sun. Avoid overwatering, as lavender dislikes sitting in wet soil.
For reliable results, English lavender varieties are usually the easiest to grow in UK gardens. Try ‘Hidcote’ for deep purple flowers and a compact habit, or ‘Munstead’ for a softer, traditional look and strong fragrance. For something a little different, French lavender has pretty tufted flowerheads and a slightly more Mediterranean feel, but it is less hardy and best kept in a sheltered, sunny spot.
2. Sweet peas
Sweet peas bring a nostalgic, old-fashioned fragrance and are perfect for adding a romantic, cottage-garden feel to patio containers. Grow them in a deep pot with a small obelisk or cane support, and keep picking the flowers regularly to encourage more blooms.
Sweet peas are also brilliant for cutting — the more you pick, the more flowers they produce, making them perfect for bringing indoors for pretty, fragrant posies and informal flower displays.
3. Jasmine or star jasmine
Jasmine and star jasmine can add a richer scent to a patio, especially on warm evenings. Give them a large pot, a sheltered sunny spot and a trellis or support to climb. Water regularly during dry spells and feed through the growing season.
4. Dianthus
For a cottage-garden feel, dianthus are a lovely choice. They have a clove-like perfume and a neat, compact habit, making them well suited to pots. Plant them in free-draining compost in a sunny position, and deadhead faded flowers to keep them blooming.
5. Scented pelargoniums
Scented pelargoniums are brilliant in pots, particularly near a seat or table. You’ll catch their fragrance every time you brush past the leaves. Grow them in a warm, sunny spot, water sparingly and bring them under cover before frosts arrive.
Pelargoniums come in a wide range of scents, from rose and lemon to mint and apple, so they’re lovely for adding interest beyond their flowers.
6. Gardenia
For something a little more luxurious, gardenia brings glossy foliage and a rich, heady perfume. It does need a sheltered spot and a bit more attention. Grow it in ericaceous compost, keep the soil evenly moist, and place it somewhere bright but protected from harsh midday sun and cold winds.
7. Bedding roses
Bedding roses are a fragrant patio favourite and can work well in containers, adding both colour and perfume through the season. Choose a compact variety (‘Flower Power Gold’, ‘Sweet Dream’, ‘Little Sunset’, ‘Raspberry Royale’ and ‘Top Marks’), plant it in a deep pot with loam-based compost, and feed regularly. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage repeat flowering.
8. Fuchsias
Fuchsias are a good option for adding colour and interest to patio pots, helping to keep the display looking full and pretty. They prefer a sheltered spot with partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day. Keep the compost moist and feed regularly in summer.
9. Heliotrope
Heliotrope – with its colourful clusters of star-shaped flowers – is another scented option to consider for containers, bringing fragrance and seasonal colour to a patio. It likes a warm, sunny and sheltered position, with regular watering and feeding. Place it close to seating areas to enjoy its sweet, vanilla-like scent.
10. Nicotiana
Nicotiana is well worth adding to patio pots for its evening scent, helping to make the space feel fragrant as the day cools. Grow it in a sunny or lightly shaded spot, keep the compost moist, and position pots near doors or seating areas where the fragrance can drift.
11. Scented stocks
Scented stocks are a garden-centre favourite and are ideal for bringing perfume to patio containers through the season. Plant them in a sunny position with well-drained compost, water regularly, and remove fading flowers to keep the display looking fresh.
Summer gardening edit
John Lewis VegTrug
Eden Terracotta Pot
Metal Square Digging Spade
