Whiffery in the borders
My children get sick of me rushing off into the undergrowth with a cry of “What’s that smell?” as I try to track down the source of beautiful perfumes drifting from nearby plantings.
In my current incarnation as a cutting garden gardener, I’m always on the look out for flowers that not only please the eye, but also entrance the nostrils. I love nothing more than opening the door when buckets of flowers and foliage are resting in the dark, cool garage, waiting to be arranged the following morning, and being bowled over by a bouquet of scents which would grace any upmarket parfumier.
Sometimes flowers take me completely by surprise – like when I was transporting a batch of heartsease violas to a plant sale and the whole car was filled with the essence of parma violets! I hadn’t really taken too much notice of these diminutive flowers, apart from thinking they looked pretty in small terracotta pots, but have planted them religiously since discovering their amazing perfume.
I’m busy at present plotting to get scent throughout the seasons and here are some of my spring and summer favourites.
I’m a former finalist in BBC Gardener of the Year and now a Birmingham event, wedding, funeral florist and flower grower. I love growing my own fruit, veg and flowers and you can follow my gardening adventures at Tuckshop Flowers. Listed in the ‘Top 20 most creative florists’ (Daily Telegraph).
