Highly scented flowers are consistently voted the most popular among consumers, with roses, freesia, sweet peas and lilies dominating the listings. Favourite colours are blues, pale pinks and lilacs - all typical sweet pea colours. [source of information: Flowers and Plants Association].
For those for whom scent is the most important character, the antique grandiflora strain must be first choice. Bred over 100 years ago, flowers are small by modern standards but produced in great quantity and in a remarkable range of colours and patterns. The scent is subtly different - spicier than that of modern sweet peas - strong but never cloying. Unlike the Spencer strain, it was the dark colours which were reputed to have the strongest scent, although it is difficult now to detect any differences in degree of fragrance.
Among modern sweet peas it tends to be the scarlet, crimson and maroon varieties which have little or no scent, while blues lavenders and pale colours are the most fragrant. Pride of place must go to 'Albutt Blue', intermediate in character between old and new types. 'Honeymoon' and 'Noel Sutton' are not far behind, the latter having an unusually 'heavy' scent more reminiscent of a lily than a sweet pea. 'Lilac Ripple' and 'Restormel' while not having the strongest perfumes, are among the most pleasing. Other richly scented varieties include 'Anniversary', 'Gwendoline', 'Mollie Rilstone', Charlie's Angel' and 'Jilly'.
It is well established that people who are happy and enjoy life are healthier than those who suffer from stress. Having plants and flowers in the house has been shown to create a feeling of well being and to reduce stress levels. This is particularly true of scented flowers. So powerful is the beneficial effect of plant fragrances that the essential oils of a range of plants are distilled for use in aromatherapy.
According to the tennets of Feng Shui, fresh flowers and plants in the house improve the flow of beneficial energy or chi. Whether you accept such beliefs or not, they certainly improve air quality and general health.
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© 2005 P E M Rowland.