Shrubs with scented foliage

Perfumed flowers last just a few weeks so add subtle scent for longer with fragrant leaves

1 Santolina chamaecyparissus

Cotton lavender is a compact, rounded shrub with woolly, evergreen foliage that has a rich spicy smell. Button-like, pale yellow blooms appear later in summer. Needs full sun and well-drained soil. H: 50cm (20in), S: 1m (3ft 3in).

Tip A brilliant choice for very limey or chalky soil.

From www.norfolkherbs.co.uk; tel: 01362 860812. 2 Rosemary The upright stems of this shrubby evergreen herb are covered in tough, needle-like, highly scented leaves. Blue flowers appear along stems in early spring. Performs best in free-draining soil in sun. H/S: 1.5m (5ft).

Tip Prune in spring or summer, shearing back no more than a third of the plant.

From www.waitrosegarden.com; tel: 01344 578811. 3 Cupressus ‘Goldcrest’ A dwarf cypress ideal for large containers or growing in well-drained soil in a sunny spot. Conifers are surprisingly fragrant evergreens and this one has a lime green leaves with a distinct lemony scent. H: 5m (16½ft), S: 2m (6½ft). Tip Allow space and light around this plant. If other plants lean into it they may leave browned areas. From www.thompsonmorgan.com; tel: 0844 573 1818. 4 Myrtus communis Myrtle is a medium-sized shrub with arching stems and spicily aromatic, leathery, evergreen leaves. Mature plants produce sprays of creamy-white flowers followed, in long hot summers, by purple berries. Hardy down to -10C (14F) but needs shelter from cold winds, so grow it against a south-facing wall. Needs moist but welldrained soil and sun. H/S: 3m (10ft).

Tip The spicy leaves can be used to flavour soups or stuff meats, similar to bay leaves.

From www.crocus.co.uk; tel: 01344 578111. 5 Caryopteris clandonensis A compact but spreading deciduous shrub with lavender-scented foliage, ideal for a sunny spot in well-drained soil. In late summer stems are covered in bluemauve flowers. H: 1m (3ft 3in), S: 1.5m (5ft).

Tip Cut dried flower stems in autumn for a scented indoor dried flower display.

From www.thompson-morgan.com; tel: 0844 573 1818.