May is a beautiful month in the garden, and garden centres are full of tempting plants to buy.
Discover five scented plants for May.
If your borders are in need of a boost, be inspired by our five planting combinations, below.
Geranium and viper’s bugloss
This unusual combination combines Geranium palmatum with Echium russicum (also known as Russian viper’s bugloss, or red viper’s bugloss) which, like all echiums, is adored by bees. Plant in a sunny spot.
Foxglove and campion
This look is straight out of a British hedgerow – a white foxglove, plus a cultivated form of the wild campion, Silene dioica. Plant in full sun or partial shade.
Peony, elder, thistle and grass
This stunning combination mixes a peony with Sambucus nigra, the tufted hair grass, Deschampsia cespitosa and an ornamental thistle, Cirsium rivulare ‘Atropurpureum’.
Ragged robin, hairy chervil and catmint
This meadowy combination combines white ragged robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi ‘White Robin’) with hairy chervil (Chaerophyllum hirsutum ‘Roseum’) and catnip, Nepeta, which some cats (and all bees) love.
Orlaya and artemisia
This cool combination combines the frothy flowers of the white laceflower, Orlaya grandiflora, with the beautiful grey foliage of Artemisia ludoviciana.
Need more ideas? Browse of choice of plant partners inspired by flower shows.
