Five scented plants for April
Discover five deliciously scented plants flowering in April.
With the days getting longer and warmer, it's no surprise that April is a month bursting with blooms – including magnificently scented lily of the valley and winter hazel.
While it's primarily bulbs that are flowering in April, there are shrubs, perennials and climbers you could grow, too. Provide pollinators with a treat in the form of nectar-rich plants like euphorbias, grape hyacinths and wallflowers, or adorn walls, fences and pergolas with fragrant climbers like Clematis armandii, or the chocolate-scented chocolate vine.
Discover five sensationally scented plants for April, below.
Hyacinths
By using the right bulbs and planting the right way, you can be enjoying the gorgeous scent of hyacinths for months on end, from forced hyacinth bulbs in winter, to outdoor types in April. 'Pink Fondant' has sugary pink blooms while those of 'Royal Navy' are deep blue with an intense fragrance.
Chocolate vine
An unusual climber with a distinctly exotic feel, the chocolate vine (Akebia quinata) is actually fully hardy, though it's more likely to produce fruits in a warm spot. The chocolate-coloured flowers are matched by a lovely chocolate-vanilla scent and once established, it should grow vigorously each year.
Bluebells
Our native bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) have a sweet, fresh aroma that feels quintessentially floral. Avoid planting Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica), as not only are they invasive, but they also have little scent. Add a touch of woodland to your garden by planting them beneath deciduous trees, in rich, moist soil.
Winter hazel
Not only are the butter yellow flowers of winter hazel (Corylopsis pauciflora) beautiful, but they're also sweetly perfumed. Reserve a spot next to paths and seating for this standout shrub and, with some time, it should grow into a striking multi-stemmed specimen. Here's how to plant a shrub.
Lily of the valley
Delightfully scented and easy to grow, lily of the valley Convallaria majalis are the ideal scented plants for April. Convallaria majalis var. rosea has pastel pink flowers, while 'Hardwick Hall' has larger than usual flowers and cream-edged leaves.
How to grow lily of the valley
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