Organic Gardening News

Good garden lighting is a vital addition to any backyard, turning it into a welcoming evening haven as well as adding safety and security. Solar lighting is a cheap, sustainable and easy option over wired-in or battery-operated lighting when creating a nightscape garden but boy, do you need to know a few facts before you shop, if you want to skip past a heap of sub-standard, short-lived and over-priced products. And that's what this guide is here to do.

As a gardening editor for well over a decade, I’ve tried and tested more garden solar lights than I care to remember. Some have lasted for years and are still brightening up my backyard; others barely lasted half a summer. I soon realised that what products died and what survived had nothing to do with the pricetag, but that their performance was entirely predictable – once I figured out what all the ratings in the packaging fine print meant.

These solar lighting ratings can tell you precisely how much light the product will throw out, so you can choose the exact right spot on the spectrum from inviting glow to can-see illumination. They also tell you how weatherproof – or otherwise – the product is, which is a pretty good indicator of where you can use it, and how long you can expect it to survive. Understand the very basics of materials used to make solar panels and batteries, too, and you'll know how efficient and long-lasting the light will be.

Armed with these basic facts, you'll be able to buy solar lighting far more wisely – and that's a gamechanger because, while there are loads of great products on the market, there's also a lot of tat that's not worth your money. Ready for the low-down before you get started on putting your outdoor lighting ideas into reality? Here’s exactly what you need to know to get yourself a great deal on solar lights for your garden.

The 5 Solar Lighting Facts You Need To Know

Sure, we all buy solar lights because they’re pretty. But if you want them to be practical, too, here are the facts that should guide your buying decision, too.

1. Weatherproof Rating

(Image credit: Getty Images)

How long garden lights will last outside, subjected to everything the weather can throw at them, depends on the Ingress Rating (IP). This measurement shows how well protected an electrical or mechanical product is in its environment. An IP has two figures: the first relates to solid matter, such as dust, on a scale of 0–6; the second relates to liquids, scaling 0–8.

Many solar lights are rated IP44, and the first number indicates that solid particles smaller than 1mm can’t penetrate, and the second number shows it’ll cope with splashes of water. So, an IP44 lantern such as this Boho Wicker Lantern from Amazon will be fine in the garden in dry weather, but leave it outside permanently and it’ll quickly fail once fall arrives. An IP54 rating, like this Handwoven Wicker Lantern from Amazon has, sounds like a much higher rating, but while it's a little more dust-proof, it's only as water-resistant as the last lantern.

If you want a product that's rain- and dust-proof, that you can leave outside more permanently, you need to look for a minimum rating of IP65, like this similar Solar Rope Lantern from Amazon has. There's not a huge difference in style or price between these three products, but I know which one I'd buy.

For long-term use, a second digit of 6 means it’ll withstand the heaviest rain, 7 indicates it’ll cope with temporary submersion, while 8 shows it’s fine to be permanently submerged. Even if you’re not planning to submerge a lamp, a maximum IP rating of 68 is a real asset for a permanent light in an exposed position. So, these IP68-rated Nymphy Pathlights from Amazon and these IP68-rated Solar Deck Lights from Amazon would both a good buy. No rating? You can safely presume it's IP44.

If you simply want a product to style up your garden for the summer, and turn your patio or deck into an outdoor living room, however, don't waste your dollars on durability you don't need.

Best Prime Day Deal Lanterns Rated IP65

Flickering flame

Gen2 Solar Lanterns Outdoor With Ultra-Real Flame

This pair of rugged IP65-rated lanterns can be charged via USB as well as by their solar panels, and have two modes: steady light and flame effect.

timeless design

2 Solar Lanterns With Wall Hooks

Cleverly blending modern and classic design, these IP65-rated metal lanterns are designed to stand up to rain, snow and scorching heat.

Shapely shadows

2 Waterproof Solar Rattan Lanterns

This pair of rattan IP65-rated lanterns can be used hanging or floor-standing for a cosy warm glow and sunshine shadows year-round.

2. Light Output

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The other figure you’ll spot when you’re shopping for solar lights is the number of lumens (LM), and this is a measure of how much light the product puts out. If you want to add some garden ambience with a soft glow, then look for a light with a rating less than 100 lumens. However, if you want enough light to enable you to actually see your way around the garden after dark, you need a product with at least 200 lumens.

Say you want to buy some path lights. If you wanted to simply pretty up the path after dark, these Dimmable Solar Pathway Lights from Amazon with a rating of 10-40 lumens would be a great buy. But if want to illuminate that path so you don't break a leg carrying the shopping in after work? These Bobcat Solar Pathway Lights from Amazon with 300 lumens would be a better buy.

Some solar lights carry a super-high lumen rating, like these Motion Sensor Floodlights from Amazon boasting 3,000 lumens. If you're looking for security lighting, these would do a brilliant job – but if you're simply wanting to light your patio post-dusk? You'll be wearing sunglasses as you sip your sundowner.

Bear in mind, too, that this lumen rating is dependent on how much energy those solar panels are able to generate. So, if you're looking for a high lumen output, solar panels that you can adjust to point towards the sun's position at midday will be better able to deliver the top end of that rating.

Best Prime Day Deals With Lots of Lumens

Solar Spotlights

2 Outdoor Waterproof Solar Lights

These spotlights have 36 LEDS delivering up to 1000 lumens, and can be adjusted by 90°. The solar panels can be rotated 180° for maximum rays.

2 Solar Flood Lights For Motion Sensor Security

Three adjustable lamp heads deliver 2,500 lumens of cool white light over a 270° angle, triggered by a motion sensor chip. Screws included for easy installation.

Powerful pathlights

4 Solar Pathway Lights With Motion Sensor

These durable metal pathlights can be set to a constant light mode of 40 lumens, or a motion sensor mode of up to 300 lumens, with 24 downward-facing LEDs.

3. Bulb Warmth

As well as the lumen rating showing how much light a product is capable of delivering, the bulb color also matters. Light is delivered along a spectrum from warm to cool and while warmer yellow-toned white light delivers a welcoming, cozy ambience, cooler, blue-toned white light illuminates better. So, choose a bulb color to match the light's intended purpose.

If you were shopping for a lantern to bring a warm glow to your patio coffee table, you'd want to look for a warm white light like that given by these Nfever Lanterns from Amazon. If you wanted a lantern to hang outside the back door so illuminate the step, however, you'd be better off looking at products with blue-toned white light like this UBright Lantern, also from Amazon. Using cool-toned lighting around your boundary and warm-toned lighting on your patio to create a focal point is a great way to make a small garden feel bigger as well.

If you enjoy sharing your garden with wildlife, then it’s good to know that a warm-toned light distracts critters far less than cold-toned light. There's plenty you can do to limit the effect of lighting on wildlife, too.

Best Prime Day Deals With Warm Tones

Dimmable edison bulbs

65ft Solar Outdoor String Lights Warm White

This string of dimmable, remote-controlled solar-powered lights gives warm ambient lighting, and can also be charged via USB. Rated IP65.

Tabletop lanterns

2 Solar Rattan Lanterns Outdoor Waterproof

Measuring 6.3" wide, these tabletop lanterns make a pretty decoration on a patio table, and give a warm and gentle glow for garden guests to gather around.

Tiki torches

8 Solar Torch Light With Flickering Flame

These yellow-toned solar torchlight stakes each measure 20" high (including the ground stake), and have flickering flame-effect LEDs. IP65 rated.

4. Solar Panel Material

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Don't worry, we're not going to delve deep into the complexities of solar panel mechanics – but there are a couple of facts that are well worth knowing, if you want bright solar lights that will still work well in cloudy conditions or on short winter days, or to position one in partial shade.

Solar lights work by using a solar panel to harness the power of sunlight and convert it into electricity. These panels are typically constructed from silicon-based photovoltaic cells – but not all are created equal. You’re likely to find polycrystalline panels on cheaper products, and these absorb less sunlight than more expensive monocrystalline panels. If you live in a sunny climate, or if the product isn’t emitting a high level of lumens, then a polycrystalline panel is perfectly adequate. But if you want lights with a high lumen output to work well when there's less sunlight available, it’s worth paying the extra for a product with a more efficient panel made from monocrystalline.

If you're planning to position the solar light where it only gets sun for part of the day, investing in mono panels is a good idea, too.

The best garden solar lights with monocrystalline panels will state this fact as it's a strong selling point. However, if there’s no indication, you can take an educated guess by the color: poly panels often have a blue hue, while mono panels tend to be black. Poly panels may also carry the abbreviation PET.

Best Prime Day Deals With Monocrystalline Solar Panels

Effective Floodlight

Cool White Solar Flood Light With Motion Sensor

This floodlight has a 16.4' cord means you can position the head in a shady spot and the solar panel in a sunnier place. Rated IP65.

Colorful wall lights

8 Bi-Directional Colorful Solar Fence Lights

These wall or fence lights have multiple color settings and only need 4-5 hours of sun to provide 8-12 hours of illumination. Rated IP67.

Bright pathlights

6 Solar Spot Staked Flood Lights

Adjustable heads and monocrystalline panels mean these lights pack a punch, and they're available in warm white or cool white. Rated IP67.

5. Battery Capacity

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you're concerned about your lights still working on cloudy, short days, it's worth knowing the basics of solar light batteries, too. Almost all solar lights now have batteries to store the electricity generated from sunlight and power the lamp after-dark. However, the battery type and its capacity has a big impact on the light’s long-term performance.

Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries: this is the battery type used in most solar lights. They give a good balance of capacity, cost and lifespan, and are – as far as batteries go – environmentally friendly to produce.

Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) batteries: older, cheaper solar lights are often fitted with these batteries that are less efficient and less eco-friendly.

Lithium-based batteries: offering greater capacity and a longer lifespan, this premium option often comes with a price tag to match. There are two types. Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) batteries are now beginning to supersede Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) technology; the former are more expensive, but they last longer and tolerate extreme hot or cold temperatures better.

If you need a solar light that's going to be fixed in place and used for prolonged periods over several years, if you live in a zone with extremes of temperature, or if the light level requires a significant amount of energy (such as a floodlight), then a product with a lithium battery is worth the splurge. If you need a solar light that caters for all those criteria, don't bother looking at any products without a lithium battery. Otherwise, a NiMH battery will do its job just fine.

Check the battery capacity when you're comparing top-end products, too. It's measured in milliampere-hours (mAh) and ranges from 300mAh to 1000mAh-plus and the higher the number, the greater the capacity.

Best Prime Day Deals With Lithium Batteries

Easy to move

2 Clip on Solar Motion-Sensor Lights

These motion-sensor lights simply clip in place, providing 800 lumens of light in warm, natural or cool tones. Can also be charged via USB. Rated IP65.

Smart wall lights

2 Solar Up and Down Wall Lights

Lithium batteries and monocrystalline solar panels ensure these sleek wall lights run for 10-16 hours on a day's charge. Rated PP65.

Sconce Lights

2 Solar Modern Sconce Wall Lights

Lithium batteries and monocrystalline panels mean these IP65 wall lights perform reliably and positioned in sun will illuminate from dusk to dawn.

Summer is the ultimate reward for gardeners. All your hard work pays off in lush foliage and gorgeous flowers. Now, imagine you walk through your garden one morning only to find that your prized plants are struggling and look like they’ve been dusted with flour. This is powdery mildew.

Powdery mildew is one of the most common fungal infections to affect garden plants. It thrives when days are warm and dry and nights are humid. It can damage and, in severe cases, even kill plants. Fortunately, if you catch it early, you can use a common kitchen staple to make a powdery mildew spray that will keep this nasty infection at bay.

A baking soda spray for powdery mildew is a useful tool in fighting this damaging fungal disease. With this simple and safe homemade remedy, you can keep your plants healthy and beautiful for the rest of the summer. Here’s how to do it.

What Is Powdery Mildew?

Powdery mildew is a fungal garden disease that affects many plants. It’s caused by several different types of fungi. The good news is that the type of fungus that causes the disease is unique to each plant. So if your roses have powdery mildew, they can’t spread the disease to your nearby lilac or squash plants.

The most characteristic sign of powdery mildew is the presence of a white or gray powdery substance on leaves. It can also develop on stems, buds, flowers, or even fruits. All types of plants can potentially be affected by powdery mildew from shrubs and trees to perennials and vegetables.

Powdery mildew doesn’t look very nice, but it can also harm plants by blocking photosynthesis and ultimately reducing the plant’s growth. You might also see leaves turn yellow, curl up, and eventually drop.

It can be easy to miss the early signs of powdery mildew, so be vigilant. Look on lower leaves, interior leaves, and the undersides of leaves for the first signs of an infection. Early detection will make it easier to manage and prevent the spread of this disease.

(Image credit: PaulMaguire / Getty Images)How Baking Soda for Powdery Mildew Works

It’s always best to prevent diseases like powdery mildew, but even with your best efforts, you might see signs of it if the conditions are right. Instead of tearing out entire plants or turning to chemical fungicides, try home remedies.

A powdery mildew baking soda spray can help stop the spread of the disease by changing the pH on your plants’ surfaces. Baking soda is alkaline. Spraying it onto the plant will raise the pH, creating an inhospitable environment for the fungus to live and spread.

This homemade fungicide won’t totally kill the fungus or restore damaged leaves to a healthier state. What it does instead is prevents the fungus from creating and dispersing more spores. It slows or stops the spread of the disease to the rest of the plant or other plants of the same species.

You’ll get the best results by combining a baking soda spray for powdery mildew with overall good gardening practices, like ensuring your plants have plenty of airflow between stems and leaves.

What You Will Need

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

Stock up on baking soda to fight fungus in your garden all summer.

Palmolive Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap

Choose a biodegradable dish soap like this to prevent adding unwanted chemicals into your garden.

JohnBee Empty Spray Bottles

Mix up your baking powdery spray in one of these bottles for easy application in the garden.

DIY Powdery Mildew Baking Soda Spray

The recipe for this DIY baking soda spray for powdery mildew is simple: Mix one tablespoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of dish soap into a gallon of water. The dish soap helps the solution stick to the plant instead of just running off and into the soil.

Mix your solution thoroughly before using, as the baking soda won’t entirely dissolve. Use a spray bottle to spray the solution all over the affected plant, including on the undersides of leaves.

The best times to use the spray are early in the morning and late in the evening. Reapply the spray every week or so, more frequently if it rains.

(Image credit: FotoHelin / Shutterstock)Safety Precautions

Baking soda is generally safe, but it can potentially burn foliage, so resist the urge to make a stronger solution with more baking soda. Before you use the spray all over a plant, test it on one leaf. Wait 24 hours to see how the leaf responds before spraying the entire plant.

Avoid using this remedy during the afternoon when it’s hot and sunny or on drought-stressed plants, as this can intensify potential damage.

Another issue is that baking soda can cause salt buildup in the soil. Water the soil around plants thoroughly before applying the spray and limit its use to no more than once per week. As an alternative, you can use potassium bicarbonate in the same recipe with similar results and less risk of salt accumulation.

(Image credit: SBSArtDept / Getty Images)Tips for Managing Powdery Mildew

Baking soda is not a miracle cure for powdery mildew and it doesn’t actually kill the fungus. What it’s good at doing is preventing further spread of the disease. For the best results, combine the use of this homemade spray with other best practices to prevent and manage powdery mildew. You can also try a commercial organic fungicide like this one from Bonide.

Space your plants appropriately and thin them from time to time to be sure air can flow through and around them. Too much humidity within and around plants is ideal for fungal growth.

If you don’t catch powdery mildew early and find heavily infected leaves or stems, trim away these parts of the plant before using a baking soda spray. Dispose of them in the garbage rather than in your compost pile, where they can continue to spread the disease. Always sanitize your pruning tools and wash your hands after doing this chore to prevent spread as well.

The best gardening deals aren't necessarily the products with the biggest discounts – they're the ones that have earned a permanent place in gardeners' sheds, greenhouses, and backyards. That's why we've rounded up the Amazon Prime Day gardening deals on products our Gardening Know How experts genuinely use, trust, and recommend.

As a team of passionate gardeners, we're constantly testing new tools, planters, grow lights, and outdoor accessories. While plenty of products pass through our hands each year, only a handful prove themselves season after season. These are the items we reach for time and again because they've made a real difference in our own gardens.

This Prime Day, many of our tried-and-tested favorites are on sale. From Senior Editor Liz's prized raised beds, to indoor gardening pro Tyler's favorite grow lights to the hori hori knife several members of our team swear by, these are the gardening products we'd happily buy ourselves again – now available for less.

Everyday Essentials

EVERYONE'S TOP TOOL

Hori Hori Knife

Every single time we interview professional gardeners, they tell us a hori hori knife is their absolute go-to tool. It digs, it weeds, it cuts, and it measures planting depth. Kathleen loves hers and uses it for practically every task in her yard.

Precision Pruning

Felco F2 Pruning Shears

Editor in Chief Melanie is always recommending her prized Felco F2s to anyone who will listen! And for good reason – they're the gold standard of pruning shears, combining razor-sharp cuts with legendary durability.

BEGINNER KIT

Greenworks Lawn Mower, Blower and String Trimmer Kit

This is the exact combo kit that started my obsession with Greenworks. It comes with a mower, string trimmer, and leaf blower, plus the interchangeable batteries. It is the perfect beginner-friendly setup that allowed me to ditch messy gas cans forever.

Little Helpers

Easy Weeding

Grampa's Weeder Original Stand Up Weed Puller Tool

Content Editor Laura swears by Grandpa's Weeder for tackling dandelions and other deep-rooted weeds without resorting to chemicals. She loves how the simple stand-up design lets her remove stubborn weeds quickly and easily, without having to kneel or strain her back.

Knee Saver

Poraise Garden Kneeler

If you read my piece on ergonomic garden upgrades, you know a garden kneeler is a non-negotiable for me. Instead of bruising your knees on hard dirt, you get a thick cushion to rest on, and the sturdy arms give you leverage to push yourself up without straining your back.

Power Pruning

Workpro Electric Pruning Shears

Our Community Manager Amy Draiss absolutely swears by her power pruners. Instead of relying on your own grip strength to snap through stubborn branches, the battery-powered mechanism slices through them like butter, dramatically reducing wrist fatigue.

Grow More

Ultimate RAISED BEDS

Vego Garden 9-in-1 Metal Raised Planter Bed

Senior Editor Liz absolutely loves her Vego raised beds. They are incredibly durable, look beautifully polished in the yard, and won't rot out after a few seasons like traditional wooden DIY beds.

GROW BAGS

Vivosun 5-Pack 5 Gallons Grow Bags

GKH Community Manager Amy is a massive fan of fabric grow bags – aka air pruning pots. They naturally encourage stronger, healthier root systems and faster growth compared to traditional plastic containers.

TOMATO SECRET

Halatool Modular Tomato Cages 4 Pack

Liz loves using these adjustable cages for her tomatoes. Because they are modular, you can easily adapt and build the trellis higher as your climbing vegetables grow throughout the season!

Indoor Gardening

Smart Growing

Click & Grow Indoor Herb Garden Kit With Grow Light

Content Editor Kathleen loves her Click & Grow Smart Garden because it takes the guesswork out of growing herbs and leafy greens indoors. The self-watering system and built-in grow light make it easy to enjoy fresh harvests year-round, even when outdoor growing conditions aren't ideal.

Chic Greenhouses

Hblife Mini Clear Stackable Green Houses

Editor in Chief Melanie loves the chic simplicity of these mini greenhouses because they're a simple way to create the warm, protected conditions seedlings and houseplants need without taking up valuable space. The compact, stackable design fits neatly on windowsills, while the magnetic door makes it easy to access plants.

Better Growth

Spider Farmer 100w LED Grow Light

Our resident houseplant pro, Tyler, considers his spider grow lights to be the most important part of his indoor gardening setup. They might look a bit industrial and heavy-duty, but they get the job done beautifully.

Wildlife Helpers

A GKH FAVORITE BRAND

Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder With Camera

We're big fans of Birdfy's smart products here at Gardening Know How. Their smart feeders capture incredible, up-close camera footage of your winged guests and send the videos directly to your phone.

Premium Seed

Kaytee Ultimate No Mess Wild Bird Food Seed

As a team of bird lovers, several of our experts keep their feeders stocked with Kaytee Ultimate No Mess Wild Bird Food because it attracts a wide variety of colorful backyard visitors. We also appreciate the hulled seed blend, which means less waste, fewer messy seed shells to clean up, and more of the feed being eaten by the birds we want to attract.

Pollinator Flowers

Burpee Wildflower Seed Mix

As a team, we're passionate about supporting pollinators and believe that planting more wildflowers is one of the simplest ways gardeners can make a positive impact. This Burpee Wildflower Seed Mix makes it easy to create a colorful, nectar-rich habitat that attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects while adding natural beauty to your garden.

Better Soil Essentials

Check Your Soil

Mysoil Soil Test Kit

Good gardening starts with good soil. Content Editor Kathleen recently reviewed the MySoil Soil Test Kit and was impressed by how easy it makes understanding exactly what's happening beneath the surface, providing detailed nutrient and pH analysis alongside personalized recommendations to help plants thrive. She even says it has changed the way she gardens!

Faster Compost

Vivosun Outdoor Tumbling Composter

If you're late to the composting party, then I suggest starting with this Vivosun tumbler. Its rotating dual-chamber design makes composting remarkably simple for beginners – you can add fresh kitchen scraps to one side while the other side breaks down into nutrient-rich compost, with no digging or turning required.

Slow Release

Miracle-Gro Shake 'n Feed All Purpose Plant Food

A slow-release fertilizer like Miracle-Gro Shake 'N Feed All Purpose Plant Food is a gardening essential for keeping plants healthy and well-fed throughout the growing season. Its gradual nutrient release means less frequent feeding and steady growth, making it an easy way to support everything from flowers and vegetables to shrubs and container plants. Snap it up now for a great price in Amazon Prime Day!

Perhaps no residential architectural style has undergone a greater shift in public perception over the past century than West Coast Modernism.

“There’s definitely been a pendulum shift,” says Trent Rodney. “It’s growing every single year, beyond my wildest imagination. Ten years ago, people made fun of us. They’d say, ‘Those guys are selling shacks in the woods.’”

Today, interest in the homes is picking up, especially among what Rodney calls “the creative class.”

“The people acquiring a Hollingsworth, an Erickson, or homes by architects working today, they don’t want your cookie-cutter mansion. They can easily buy those. They want something connected to nature and connected to the cultural fabric of the city.”

Pioneered by Fred Hollingsworth and Arthur Erickson along with Ron Thom , Barry Downs and Ned Pratt, what we now call West Coast Modern architecture emerged in the 1940s. Characterized by wood, glass and a strong connection to the landscape, it became one of British Columbia’s defining architectural movements.

It flourished over the next three decades but fell out of fashion as tastes changed toward larger postmodern and neo-traditional homes and rising land values made many older modernist houses vulnerable to redevelopment. During the movement’s fallow years in the 1980s and 1990s, Peter Cardew continued to champion its principles of simplicity, craftsmanship and connection to place. Today, architects such as Patkau Architects , BattersbyHowat Architects , McLeod Bovell Modern Houses , Frits de Vries, D’Arcy Jones Architects, and Measured Architecture are carrying the tradition forward while embracing the same nature-first philosophy.

“Why do people move to Vancouver?” Rodney says. “Ask anyone and one of the first things they say is nature. And the best way to enjoy our natural environment is the West Coast Modern home.”

Rodney’s own interest in the movement began in the 2010s while he was working in luxury real estate. To preserve and sell the homes he had come to admire, he co-founded West Coast Modern.

His first project was Fred Hollingsworth’s own house. Working alongside Hollingsworth’s son Russell, he helped save it from demolition.

“It was incredibly at risk, definitely demo-bait. Most of the time it would have been torn down.”

Over the past decade, his company has “represented hundreds of West Coast Modern homes without any sales resulting in a demolition.”

That doesn’t mean the battle is over, however. Rodney estimates that as many as 50 per cent of architecturally significant West Coast Modern homes sold through the conventional real estate market are eventually demolished.

“We’re seeing demolitions every month.”

West Coast Modern homes can be found all over the province, but the highest concentration is on the North Shore.

“They’re hidden in the bush, hidden in the forest, hidden on rock outcroppings and hillsides. In Palm Springs you can see them everywhere. Here, the approach was to be discreet from the street, so awareness of them has been lost.”

A lot of the West Coast Modern homes in Vancouver proper were lost to redevelopment in the ’90s.

“These were small houses built around a garden. The garden was designed first and then the house. You bring your modern homebuyer into that, and they don’t even step into the garden.”

There are also many examples on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

“There were architects who retreated out there, like Hank Schubart on Salt Spring. He was kind of the resident architect, creating some of the most innovative houses of wood and glass connected to nature.”

Evidence of the style’s growing popularity can be seen in the increasing international attention being paid to it and, closer to home, in the success of West Coast Modern Week (July 7 to 12).

Rodney, who sits on the event’s organizing committee, notes that what began as a simple home tour has evolved into a weeklong celebration featuring speakers, cocktail events, walking tours and film screenings.

“There’s a whole movement of people returning to those natural principles and that nostalgia. I love it.”

Related

• See the unique North Vancouver house a couple saved from demolition
• Arthur Erickson-designed home hits the market

Fun fact about me: my mother-in-law is a crystal healer. She runs a college for alternative therapies, has written books on Reiki, and, naturally, believes in the power of crystals in everyday life... including the garden.

Yes, alongside an enormous copper pyramid she’s placed over her raised beds (which, intriguingly, does seem to be doing something), she also tucks crystals into pots and borders as part of her planting ritual. She’s even mentioned that older gardening traditions, like those found in the Farmer’s Almanac, have long embraced similar intuitive approaches to gardening cycles.

I may burn herbs and plant lavender for luck (I have a thing for witchy plants), a skeptic by nature, so I didn’t expect to take any of it seriously. But, as I had a steady supply of rose quartz available, so I started experimenting in my own pots. Just placing them into the soil around my plants, whenever I remembered, and seeing what happened.

The results? Somewhat surprising.

Using Crystals in My Garden

Anyone with even the slightest interest in spiritual practice will tell you, in no uncertain terms, that rose quartz is said to represent nurturing and restoration. When it came to choosing one crystal to pop in my garden, then, it was this pretty pink stone.

Targeting those plants that had been overwatered, neglected, and generally put through it, I popped out a few crystals and promptly forgot about them... until a friend pointed out that my olive tree (which has been knocked over, battered by wind, and repotted more times than I can count this spring alone) is not just still alive, but thriving.

Coincidence? Probably. But I’ll admit I’ve started checking on the crystals more than I’d like to confess.

Erliway Rose Quartz Raw Crystal

Rose quartz is said to bring healing, loving energy to plants and people alike.

If you are going to experiment with rose quartz in the garden, there are a few different ways people tend to use it. Some gardeners simply tuck raw stones directly into the soil near the base of plants, almost like a hidden talisman buried in the earth. Others use larger pieces as part of decorative landscaping, placing clusters of crystals among pots or along borders where they catch the light and become part of the overall design.

There’s also a more aesthetic approach, where rose quartz is treated less like a “tool” and more like a feature. Think something like Walmart's Hand-Carved Pink Rose Quartz Decorative Stone, grouped with terracotta pots, stones, and foliage to create a kind of soft, intentional still life within the garden.

Whether you believe in any energetic properties or not, it undeniably adds a certain visual calmness to planting schemes. And, if you do start down the rabbit hole of crystal gardening lore, rose quartz is just the beginning...

Shop Crystals for Gardening:

Fekuar Moss Agate

Moss agate is commonly associated with nature, growth, and flourishing energy. It’s often used by crystal enthusiasts who want to symbolically support healthy planting, rooting, and regeneration.

Togous Black Tourmaline

Often used as a protective stone in spiritual practice, enthusiasts place it near vulnerable plants or entry points to the garden as a symbolic layer of protection against pests.

WHAL&YUNE Citrine

Citrine is frequently linked to sun energy in crystal traditions. In the garden, it’s often placed in pots or sunny borders with the intention of encouraging vitality, growth, and general good fortune.

Of course, whether using these crystals in the garden actually has an effect on the plants themselves is open to interpretation. But as with much of gardening, half the pleasure is in the ritual.

And if nothing else, it gives you another reason to spend time among your pots. Which, if your plants are as in need of TLC as mine are, is no bad thing at all.

Calla lilies provide a touch of the tropics to summer gardens. Though gardeners in far southern climates can grow these beautiful flowers year-round, most of us have to accept that they'll only grow as annuals.

The other option is to dig up plants each fall and overwinter them, then replant them each spring as you would any other summer garden bulbs. Alternatively, you can grow calla lilies in containers indoors.

I'll walk you through the basics of caring for calla lilies indoors and out, no matter where you live.

Quick Calla Lily Facts

Botanical Name

Zantedeschia aetheopica

Plant Type

Tender perennial

Height

12-24 in (30-61 cm)

Spread

18-24 in (46-61 cm)

Light

Full sun, part shade

Soil

Neutral, slightly acidic

Hardiness

USDA 8-10 (Not in the US? Convert your zone)

Flowers

Summer

Native Range

Southern Africa

Planting Calla Lilies

Calla lily plants make a beautiful addition to the ornamental landscape. Though the graceful white calla lily flowers are the most common, available cultivars come in a wide range of colors.

Below, we will explore the basic needs of this stunning perennial in greater detail, as well as information for planting them in the garden and indoors in containers.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)Soil Requirements

Calla lilies should be planted into well-amended beds with good drainage. Since they are quite adaptable, the rhizomes will grow well under a wide range of soil conditions, including those that consist of sand or clay. Their ideal garden soil should be neutral or slightly acidic with a pH of 5.6 to 6.5. You can test the pH with soil test kits, like this one on Amazon.

To successfully grow callas indoors, the plants can be placed into containers filled with a high-quality indoor potting mix, like this one from Miracle-Gro.

Light Requirements

Calla lilies grow best where they can receive part sun or full sun throughout the day. Ample light is essential to the production of flowers.

Still, gardeners living in areas that are especially warm or receive intense sunlight may want to consider planting calla lilies in beds that are shaded throughout the hottest parts of the afternoon.

(Image credit: Andreas von Einsiedel/Getty Images)Watering

Caring for calla lilies includes paying special attention to soil moisture. Indoor plants, as well as those grown directly in the garden, appreciate consistent moisture throughout the season in addition to adequate humidity.

In regions that receive regular rainfall, watering calla lilies in the garden is not often required once plants are established. However, the plants can benefit from drip irrigation, like this Rain Bird Watering Kit from Amazon, or soaker hoses in regions that are especially dry or prone to prolonged periods of drought.

Temperature & Humidity

Calla lily plants grow best where conditions are warm with temperatures of at least 70°F (21°C) during the day. Humidity in the environment also plays a key role in maintaining adequate levels of moisture.

Calla lily flowers can tolerate high temperatures in most gardens, provided the humidity conditions are ideal. Extreme heat can be detrimental to the plant, however, in regions that are dry or arid.

(Image credit: Tatiana Terekhina / Getty Images)Fertilizing

You will need to fertilize calla lilies to keep them looking their best. Well-balanced fertilizers can be used any time before the plants start to flower. Both granulated and liquid feeds are good options, depending upon one's specific needs. This organic bloom-boosting fertilizer from Espoma is a good option.

As with most perennials, make certain to avoid using fertilizer after the plant has finished blooming.

Pruning

Calla lily flowers can be removed as they begin to fade from the plant. Deadheading calla lily flowers prevents the production of seeds and encourages repeat blooming.

Each spent flower stem should be removed carefully all the way back to the base of the plant. Dead or yellowing foliage can also be pruned in this manner, which helps to maintain a healthy and tidy appearance in garden beds.

(Image credit: AegeanBlue / Getty Images)Calla Lily Varieties

You can find a wide array of calla lily bulbs from Home Depot and your local garden center to grow in your garden. These are some of the most common varieties of calla lilies to look for:

• 'Crystal Clear' Calla Lily
• 'Garnet Glow' Calla Lily
• 'Odessa' Calla Lily
• 'Morning Sun' Calla Lily
• 'Picasso' Calla Lily

(Image credit: Katrin Ray Shumakov / Getty Images)Propagation

Though it is possible to grow calla lily plants from seed, most gardeners prefer to divide those that have already established themselves in the garden. This can occur every three to five years and will result in flowers that are identical to the parent plant.

You should divide calla lilies in the fall while each plant is dormant. After carefully lifting rhizomes from the soil the roots can be cut apart. New divisions should have at least one healthy, viable growing eye.

Common Problems

While care for these plants is relatively simple, there are some common problems with calla lilies that gardeners need to be aware of.

Notable among these are diseases that directly affect the plants' rhizomes and foliage. Root rot, powdery mildew, and various kinds of wilt may be the direct result of excess moisture.

Several types of pests may also target calla lily plants. Slugs and Japanese beetles are the most problematic.

Container Care

Calla lilies are common houseplants because they do well growing in containers. But they will need occasional repotting to perform their best. If you grow calla lilies in pots, they will outgrow their containers and require repotting once every one or two years. Do this in the fall when the plants are dormant.

During repotting, you can also divide mature plants and replant them into new containers. Or you can just move your overgrown plant into a larger container that's about 1 inch (2.5 cm) larger in diameter than the old pot.

(Image credit: Nico De Pasquale Photography / Getty Images)Frequently Asked QuestionsAre calla lilies toxic?

All parts of the calla lily plant are extremely toxic. Calcium oxalate and other chemical compounds may be fatal if ingested. Extreme caution should be taken when they are planted near children and pets, as well as when being handled by growers. 

Calla Lily Care Must-Haves

Willard & May Hybrid Calla Lilies Mixed 5-Pack

Get a gorgeous mix of calla lily bulbs for your summer garden from Amazon.

Flora Guard Bulb Planter With Depth Markers

Make planting calla lily bulbs quick and easy with this handy bulb planter tool.

Jobe’s Organics Granular Bulb Fertilizer

Give blooms a boost with this specialized organic bulb fertilizer.

Okay, I’ll admit that when I first heard David Beckham had a rose named after him, my eyes rolled so hard I thought I might have pulled something. A celebrity rose? For a soccer player? Surely this was just another bit of brand fluff designed to get people to buy a David Beckham garden fork, if it existed. Well, I consulted some gardening experts and have now come to the conclusion that I might have been wrong.

The Sir David Beckham rose was commissioned by his daughter, Harper, for his 50th birthday (actually, this is super sweet!) and was unveiled to the public at the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. It's not yet available in the USA, but you can view it at David Austin Roses in the UK.

Gardening experts have told me the rose is tapping into one of the most popular design trends at the moment: a “quiet luxury” garden. We already know Victoria Beckham loves elegant white roses, so we expect to see this new variety fitting seamlessly into the couple's garden for years to come.

Behind the Bloom

(Image credit: David Austin Roses)

The backstory is super charming. Harper Beckham, who is just 14 years old, called legendary rose breeder David Austin Roses and asked them to name a flower after her dad. The result, originally known by the breeding number Ausa34b16, is now officially the "Sir David Beckham" rose.

It's a glorious white English shrub rose with subtle pink and yellow tones, deeply cupped petals, and a complex fragrance that has been described as "banana-ish" yet fresh, before developing into a warm, honeyed musk layered with hints of nougat, clove, and myrrh. The result is a fragrance that's both zesty and earthy – sophisticated, distinctive, and perhaps not entirely unlike the confident character of Sir David's own Instinct fragrance.

Growing upright to around three or four feet, it works equally well in borders and containers. Better still, a portion from every sale will be donated to The King's Foundation.

With the launch of the Sir David Beckham rose, he joins a small and highly exclusive circle of famous names immortalised by David Austin Roses. Among the most notable are King Charles III and Dame Judi Dench, both of whom have had David Austin varieties named in their honour.

And Beckham's rose is already receiving royal approval: King Charles was even spotted stopping to smell it at the Chelsea Flower Show.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Gardening expert Liz Bury sums up the celebrity appeal with some honesty: "The Sir David Beckham rose is a stunning flower. While I haven't yet seen it in person, I don't think it's particularly surprising that it's popular – who isn't going to want a celebrity rose in a container on their patio? Brand Beckham is strong and, honestly, it could have been the Sir David Beckham dandelion, and people would still be mad for it."

Liz definitely makes a fair point, but it’s also interesting for gardeners who care about more than celebrities.

Get the Look

Heirloom Roses Iceberg Shrub

Iceberg is an iconic white rose that flowers almost continuously. Its semi-double flowers with golden centers make it one of the most similar to David Beckham.

Heirloom Roses Sally Holmes Shrub

Sally Holmes is a graceful white rose with large clusters of creamy-white blooms and prominent golden stamens. Its open, luminous flowers and natural shrub habit make it a chic alternative Victoria would approve of.

Knock Out 2 Gal. White Rose Shrub

White Knock Out is a free-flowering white shrub rose with single blooms and bright golden stamens. Its simple flower form, long bloom season and fresh white coloring make it a lovely alternative to David Beckham.

More Than a Famous Name

(Image credit: David Austin Roses)

Anthony Croke, Plant Manager at Almondsbury Garden Centre, is clear that star power only takes a plant so far: "Celebrity endorsements create curiosity, but gardeners are notoriously hard to fool. A famous name might encourage people to take a closer look, but a rose only earns a place in the garden if it performs."

Landscape architect Noé Lerma of GreenMex agrees, with a note of caution: "Roses are currently trending due to the importance we're placing on them, as they're associated with celebrities. However, the reality is that this is just an initial and temporary trend. Ultimately, it comes down to horticultural qualities that determine whether a plant stays in the garden or fades into oblivion."

It turns out there are quite a few of those qualities. The Sir David Beckham rose itself took over 10 years to develop, as it was first raised in 2012 and put through many years of trials before being released. White roses are notorious for being hard to breed, as white is a recessive color trait. This means that a white variety of rose is quite the horticultural achievement. Not only that, but it’s a repeat-flowering rose and blooms in flushes from late spring through early winter, meaning you don’t only get a single show as you do with, say, peonies.

The Pollinator Factor

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Sir David's rose has open blooms, which are enormously for pollinators. Liz Bury notes a change she's seeing in what gardeners are actually reaching for: "My general feeling is that there is a little shift away from the double-bloomed varieties because people are becoming increasingly aware of the need to be doing much more for pollinators in their gardens. Sir David's open-flowered rose is not only genuinely gorgeous, but it helps the bees, wasps, and beetles get straight to the pollen without having to expend extra energy by trying to fight through layers of petals."

Anthony Croke echoes this from the retail side: "Gardeners are becoming far more conscious of what they're planting and the impact it has on local wildlife. They want plants that not only look beautiful but also provide real benefits for pollinators. Open blooms give bees and other beneficial insects easier access to pollen and nectar, so we're seeing growing demand for roses that combine traditional beauty and fragrance with genuine ecological value.”

The 'Quiet Luxury' Garden: What It Actually Means

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If your Instagram algorithm has brought you into the gardening realm lately, you may have noticed a shift. Gone are maximalist borders crammed with bright flowers all in competition with one another. In their place are softer palettes and romantic layering. This is what designers call “quiet luxury,” and the Sir David Beckham rose fits the description perfectly.

Anthony Croke explains the appeal: "White and blush-toned roses have become increasingly popular as they fit perfectly into the 'quiet luxury' trend that's been influencing both interior and exterior design. Unlike maximalist design with bold color palettes, many homeowners are gravitating towards softer palettes featuring whites, creams, blush pinks, and silvery foliage. These colors create a timeless, elegant look that feels calming."

Crystal Olenbush, an interior design and staging expert, describes what the look is really about: "Quiet luxury in the garden means an absence of obvious elements of design. Instead of drawing attention to some plants or garden decorations, the main emphasis is on atmosphere, which can be achieved through layered planting, natural movement, softer color palette, and change of seasons."

Noé Lerma points to a broader design shift: "A new design direction is emerging, leaning more towards minimalism; that is, people are seeking something more serene and enduring. If I had to choose a style, it would be Mediterranean. In short, it's an evolutionary approach to landscape design."

He also makes a point worth underlining: "You don't need expensive plants to have a premium garden. We can design and create green spaces with accessible, economical, and long-lasting species, bringing together plants that generate authenticity, aesthetics, and elegance without resorting to exotic choices."

How to Steal This Look for Your Own Garden

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Here’s the real practical advice: as we all know, looking at a stunning garden at the Chelsea Flower Show and recreating it at home are very different things.

• Start with the color palette: Whites, creams, blush pinks, and soft greys are the foundation. Resist the urge to try to spice it up with anything neon. Crystal Olenbush notes a common mistake: "One of the major mistakes people can make is focusing on plants and forgetting about the composition. Most likely, it will be achieved with the help of layers."
• Think in layers, not clumps: Anthony Croke advises: "To recreate a quiet luxury garden, focus on a soft color palette of whites, creams and blush pinks. Layer these with textured plants and ornamental grasses to create movement and depth. The aim is to achieve a romantic, naturalistic feel that looks elegant and effortless rather than overly structured or formal."
• Choose your companion plants carefully: This is where you can really make the look sing. Anthony Croke recommends: "White English roses pair beautifully with airy perennials such as verbena bonariensis and lavender, while foxgloves and salvias add height, structure and a classic cottage garden feel. Ornamental grasses can be used to soften the planting scheme, bringing movement and enhancing the elegant, romantic aesthetic." Crystal Olenbush adds to the plant list: "Gaura, astrantia, verbena bonariensis, nepeta, foxgloves, and ornamental grasses will suit perfectly because they won't conflict with the romantic nature of white roses." And Liz Bury's personal pick? "I think I'd pair it with English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) for a lovely color contrast and haze of scent – now, I just need to get one!"
• Don't overthink the sun situation: Noé Lerma keeps it simple: "If you still want roses, go for it, but you have to make it work. You must analyze how much sun your space receives and the type of soil you have." Most roses, including this one, want at least six hours of sun per day and well-drained soil.
• Pots work brilliantly: The Sir David Beckham rose grows to three to four feet and is perfectly suited to container growing. It’s ideal for patios, balconies, or anyone who wants to try it without committing to a whole border redesign. "For the quiet luxury look, go for something in aged concrete or stone rather than terracotta or bright glazed ceramics. These magnesium oxide planters nail the aesthetic without the weight of real stone (available here on Amazon).

The Verdict

(Image credit: David Austin Roses)

Is the Sir David Beckham rose a gimmick? Well, it's definitely trading on a famous name, but there's nothing wrong with admitting that. Celebrity endorsements get eyeballs, and if they bring new people into gardening, then that’s just fine by me. But this particular rose has substance behind the story: a decade in development, open-pollinator-friendly blooms, complex fragrance, repeat flowering, and tones that slot beautifully into the most trendy garden aesthetic of the moment.

Now if someone could just get Victoria Beckham to commission an ornamental grass, we'd have a full border sorted.

Nothing deflates a summer evening outdoors faster than a lungful of someone else’s lighter fluid, or the exhaust drifting off a busy road. Patio season should be the easy part of summer – a drink, a chair, and the light going gold over the fence. Then a neighbor fires up the grill with a bit too much lighter fluid, and your hard-earned relaxation time is hijacked. Or you might find rush hour stacks up on the road out back, and the air suddenly smells like anything but a garden.

You can’t always stop these things from happening, of course – but the right fragrant plants can help you create a buffer of scent (a sort of fragrant force field or fragrant bubble, as it were) that allows you to reclaim your outdoor moments and enjoy your patio in peace. It comes down to choosing fragrant plants that actually push their scent around. These scented patio plants are backed by leaves that are thick enough to block out unwelcome aromas, while amplifying desirable fragrance.

By introducing these high-potency container plants and fast-growing shrubs this month, you can enjoy the benefits of gorgeous scent and privacy screens together. These fragrant plants for outdoors are also lovely to look at, so you can carry off this exceptional aromatic force field in style and enjoy the benefits all summer long. Here’s how to choose high-impact summer patio plants to make a beautifully scented sanctuary.

Best Plants for a Scent-Proof Patio

Fast results matter when summer’s already here, so these 8 fragrant plants lean toward quick establishment and a strong, reliable perfume. Most can be added and planted this June and be pulling their weight within weeks, whether in a border or a big container by the door. In order to create this aromatic forcefield around your patio, you just need to be mindful of local microclimates and plant behavior.

Consider your local USDA hardiness zone and wind direction. Position the highest potency, dense-foliage shields on the windward side of your patio to catch and diffuse incoming air pollution before it reaches your chairs. June planting can put young root systems up against intense summer heat waves. Focus on maximizing soil health inside patio containers or borders for rapid, deep root anchoring.

(Image credit: Antoninapotapenko / Getty Images)

Before planting, make sure your soil is in good condition. Use a comprehensive diagnostic tool like the Luster Leaf Rapitest Soil Tester from Amazon to check soil pH and nutrient levels. If your soil is heavy, tired, or dry, amend the drainage by adding a little coarse sand or perlite into the planting hole, or nourish the earth with some moisture-retaining organic matter. An amendment like Back to the Roots Organic Compost from Lowe's will lock in vital hydration and protect tender summer roots from early heat shock, ensuring an immediate explosion of defensive growth.

To prevent creating a cloying perfume overkill, where competing heavy scents clash like a department store counter, be sure to layer your plants based on their diurnal patterns. Some varieties unleash their essential oils under the blazing afternoon sun, while others wait for dusk to release volatile organic compounds. By mixing daytime performers with evening champions, you maintain a balanced, non-stop barrier against rogue odors – and all without exhausting your senses.

1. Mock Orange

(Image credit: Alex Manders / Getty Images)

Few shrubs announce June quite like mock orange (philadelphus). For a couple of weeks, it throws out clusters of white blooms that smell unmistakably of orange blossom, heavy enough to roll across a yard on a warm evening and bury whatever the grill is doing. It’s a big, arching plant (as high as 10 feet/3m in most gardens) so it works as a loose screen along a fence line, foliage filling in to soften both noise and sightlines. It thrives in zones 4-8, thriving beautifully in full sun to partial shade. The intense, citrusy perfume peaks during the late afternoon and warm June evenings, making it the perfect antidote to summer barbecues.

To maximize its impact, it demands sharp, well-draining earth. Pair it with dark purple salvias or low-growing catmint to create a stunning visual contrast while the mock orange handles the odor control. Prune it immediately after its flowering cycle wraps up, but don't cut back into old wood or you will sacrifice next year’s aromatic canopy. You can buy Proven Winners Illuminati Spice Mock Orange Plants from Amazon for an intense, rich orange-blossom smoke shield around your patio.

2. Star Jasmine

(Image credit: Satura86 / Getty Images)

Got a railing you’d rather not see? Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) pulls double duty. The foliage is evergreen and glossy, holding all winter and screening long after everything else drops. By early summer, it’s covered in small white pinwheel flowers. That sweet, honeyed jasmine smell travels, too: you’ll pick it up across the yard. Grow up an obelisk or trellis, so twining stems have something to grab. A woody perennial vine in zones 8-11 (and an exceptional annual or overwintered plant further north), it is great for continuous scent. Its peak perfume release triggers as daylight fades, weaving a rich, honeyed shield.

Just provide consistent weekly moisture during its first summer to establish a deep root system. Plant it alongside trailing rosemary or silver dichondra, as the herbal notes perfectly balance its sweetness. You can buy Pixies Gardens Star Jasmine Plants from Walmart for a thick privacy screen of honeyed evening scent. Give it a year to find its feet, then it hits 10-15 feet (3-4.5m) and wants nothing but the odd trim. Full sun gets the most flowers, while part shade works, just a lighter show.

3. Gardenia

(Image credit: Santiago Urquijo / Getty Images)

Gardenia (G. jasminoides) is a bit of a diva, but well worth the fuss. The smell genuinely stops conversations (thick and creamy, almost tropical), but the plant comes with demands. It wants acidic soil and steady moisture, and it feels the cold; let any of that slip, and it sulks. So keep this beauty in a pot. Fill a large pot with an ericaceous mix, and stand it by your chairs so the perfume lands where you sit. Somewhere cold? Bring it in before the first frost. Through summer, feed it something made for acid-lovers and shade it from harsh afternoon sun, and the waxy white flowers will keep coming for weeks.

This elegant evergreen perennial shrub thrives in zones 7-11. Its signature creamy fragrance lingers strongly throughout daytime hours and humid summer nights. Just add a dedicated iron supplement if you notice yellowing leaves with green veins. Frame container gardenias with acid-loving companions like dwarf blechnum ferns or trailing blue lobelia for a lush, moisture-retentive microclimate beside your patio lounger. You can buy Frost Proof Gardenia Plants from Nature Hills for a resilient, heavy-blooming variety that tolerates cold snaps and thrives in patio pottery.

4. Lavender

(Image credit: Undefined Undefined / Getty Images)

Lavender (lavendula) turns up on every list of scented patio plants, and fair enough. This fragrant beauty is tough and barely needs watering once it’s settled. What really sells it, though, is that the fragrance works even with nothing in bloom. One brush of the foliage does it. So put it somewhere you’ll make contact, like edging your patio. Every contact will release that clean, resiny smell. The English type takes cold better, while bigger hybrids flower harder and punch out a sharper note. Both want full sun and sharp drainage, and wet feet will finish them, so ease off on watering once roots take. A light shear after the first flush can buy a second, smaller round later.

This sun-lover is hardy in zones 5-9, and its essential oils are most volatile under midday heat, cutting cleanly through heavy barbecue smoke. Mix plenty of coarse sand or fine gravel into your potting medium to guarantee lightning-fast drainage. Pair with ornamental oregano or yellow coreopsis for a highly drought-tolerant shield that repels pests while refreshing your air. Buy Phenomenal French Lavender from Fast Growing Trees for a refreshing barrier against stale and smoky air.

5. Sweet Autumn Clematis

(Image credit: Billy_Fam / Getty Images)

This one’s all about timing. While the rest of the garden packs it in for the year, sweet autumn clematis (C. terniflora) is just getting going. From late summer into fall it buries itself under tiny white stars, and the vanilla-almond smell carries way past wherever you planted it. Fair warning, though: it grows fast. A single season can put on 15-20 feet (4.5-6m), so give it a fence or a solid arch. This perennial vine is exceptionally hardy in zones 4-9, preferring a setting where its roots are shaded but its climbing canopy can enjoy full sunshine. Its potent scent reaches maximum strength under the late-afternoon sun.

The flip side of all that energy is that it self-seeds like mad in mild areas and shows up where you never put it. Chop it down hard in late winter, 12 inches (30cm) from the ground, and it comes back thicker and tidier. Plant alongside boxwood or blue star juniper to mask its bare winter base. Not much else hides an ugly chain-link fence this quick while smelling this good. You can buy Hirt’s Garden Stores Sweet Autumn Clematis Vine Plants from Amazon for late-summer structural screening.

6. Heliotrope

(Image credit: Alex Manders / Getty Images)

Stick your nose in a heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens) and you’ll swear someone’s baking; it has a lovely warm vanilla scent, with a hit of cherry pie. Cherry pie is the old name people gave it, which tells you plenty. It’s a small plant, a foot or two (30-60cm) tall, so it tucks into a pot or window box, holding its deep purple flower heads down low, right at nose height when you’re seated. Frost kills it, so most folks grow it as an annual or haul it indoors for winter. It runs thirstier than lavender, too; let it bake bone-dry and it sulks. Keep pinching the dead heads off and it flowers all summer. Pound for pound, on a small patio, almost nothing throws this much smell.

Hardy in zones 10-11, it thrives in rich, consistently damp soil with full morning sun and light afternoon shade. Its comforting, bakery-sweet fragrance is steadily active throughout the day, intensifying in high-humidity. Deadhead faded violet clusters continuously to stimulate new blooms. Place heliotrope alongside chartreuse sweet potato vine or white bacopa for a lively color contrast. You can buy Heliotrope Plants from Walmart in groups of three, for dense, fruity pie-scented blocks.

7. Fragrant Roses

(Image credit: Rosemary Calvert / Getty Images)

Nothing says perfumed garden quite like a rose, provided you pick for scent, not looks (plenty of modern roses were bred for color and lost the fragrance). Old garden roses (rosa) and the heavily perfumed modern shrubs (like ‘Fragrant Cloud’ or ‘Gertrude Jekyll’) definitely deserve a spot near a seating area, throwing real scent on warm, still evenings. Repeat-flowering kinds run from early summer to frost if you deadhead. They thrive beautifully in zones 5-9, demanding six hours of sunlight daily to fuel their blooms. Classic damask and tea aromas peak in the early morning as the dew evaporates, providing a refreshing morning shield against street exhaust.

Apply a thick layer of shredded bark mulch to protect roots and maintain moisture. Add some white alyssum or silver sage around the base of your rose containers to cover bare lower stems. Give roses sun and decent airflow, plus a yearly feed, and they reward the attention generously. Set one in a roomy container near the table and the perfume meets you before you’ve sat down. You’ll find a gorgeous range of Hybrid Tea Rose Varieties available from Nature Hills, many offering exceptional fragrance and continuous summer rebloom.

8. Flowering Tobacco

(Image credit: Icarmen13 / Getty Images)

Save a spot for the evening crowd. Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata) keeps its scent under wraps by day, then lets go at dusk. Its sweet, jasmine-ish perfume that arrives just as you’re heading out with a drink. For anyone who lives on their patio after dark, it’s your ultimate late-evening shield against neighborhood lighter fluid and smoky grills. The tall white varieties are especially potent. Nicotiana shoots up fast to 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5m) and flowers for months if you deadhead and water. Most are annuals, and are a cheap and quick way to plug a gap. Tuck a few in among chairs where the night scent settles, and the patio will get a second life after sundown.

Flowering tobacco loves rich, well-draining soil and a location with full sun or partial shade. Just handle with care, as all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested by curious pets. Nicotiana needs uniform, moderate moisture to sustain its trumpet blooms. Group these luminous beauties behind low-growing night phlox or dark leaf coleus for a glowing evening retreat that smells exquisite. You can get some lovely Nicotiana Seeds from Eden Brothers, including Lime Green and Sensation Mix.

Shop Fragrant Superstars

High-potency aromatic plants represent highly effective natural ways to neutralize intrusive neighborhood odors, while also adding an extra dimension of tranquility and harmony to outdoor spaces. Combining daytime citrus notes with rich evening honey undertones creates a multi-layered fragrance shield that effortlessly takes care of the dirty work. Make some room for these potent and pretty summer scent heroes.

Fragrant Forcefield

Proven Winners Proven Winners Illuminati Spice Mock Orange

This compact, cold-hardy perennial shrub erupts into a dense wall of double-white flowers in summer. This gorgeous flowering screen creates an intense, rich orange-blossom aroma that overpowers backyard barbecue smoke.

Clean Air Pioneer

Fast-Growing-Trees.com Southern Living® Phenomenal™ Lavender

Lavender is king for enduring fragrance, but more than that, it changes air chemistry. This humidity-resistant variety releases crisp essential oils when you brush against it, providing a refreshing barrier against stale and smoky air.

Nighttime Bodyguard

Pixies Gardens Pixies Gardens Star Jasmine

This ultra-glossy, evergreen climbing vine weaves a thick privacy screen over railings and fences, and is perfect for evening outdoor entertaining. It unleashes a powerful wave of sweet, honeyed perfume exactly when evening traffic fumes peak.

Need more ideas for getting the most from your plants, indoors and out, and looking for the best seasonal expert advice delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the free Gardening Know How Newsletter!

When in doubt, just add a pot! Honstly, if your garden is looking a little lackluster, I genuinely believe that one of the quickest ways to give it a designer feel is with a large planter. And the good news? Well, you don't need a huge budget to achieve the look.

Yes, while luxury planters can cost hundreds of dollars, some of the best large garden planters out there can be snapped up for a fraction of the price. And they give you some serious bang for your buck, too, as – container garden or not – large garden planters work incredibly hard in a space.

A perfectly placed pot can frame a front door, define a seating area, or bring life to an empty patio corner that feels difficult to style. Plus, in smaller gardens, I have found that a few statement containers can even have more impact than filling every inch with borders.

The Best Large Garden Planters for Instant Impact

Personally, I love nothing more than a big pot; in fact, the large potted trees and oversized window planter in my own garden are the features that consistently look the most polished and designer, even when the rest of the garden is between seasons or looking a little... well, a little unruly.

The trick is choosing planters that look more expensive than they are. Materials with a stone- or concrete-effect finish, oversized shapes, and simple silhouettes all create a premium feel without the designer price tag. And a single large planter filled with architectural plants or colorful flowers can completely change the feel of your garden in an afternoon.

Whether you're after Mediterranean-inspired terracotta, sleek contemporary designs, a gothic urn, or lightweight faux-stone pots, there are plenty of budget-friendly buys that will elevate your outdoor space.

To help you find the best options, I've rounded up the large garden planters that make an instant impact while keeping your spending firmly in check...

Arcadia Garden Products Classic Traditional Plastic Urn Planter

Available in multiple colors, these lightweight urns are built to withstand the elements, ensuring long-lasting beauty and functionality.

SAFAVIEH Bolton Planter Pot With Drainage

Ideal for flowers, herbs, or small plants, this beautiful planter is frost-resistant and includes drainage for proper water flow!

Classic Home & Garden Garden Whiskey Barrel Planter

Keep it rustic and simple with this distressed oak barrel; just think how stunning it will look filled with flowers.

Classic Home & Garden Honeysuckle Resin Planter

Available in multiple colors, each as stylish as the last, this is a great way to turn a plant into a statement.

Mayne Cape Cod Square Planter

This pretty planter boasts a self watering feature keeps plants consistently hydrated and healthy.

Worth Worth Garden Large Urn Planter

A terracotta urn is an easy and timeless way to transform your garden instantly.

Kante Tall Rectangular Concrete Planter

Ideal for specimen trees and standout plants, this tall planter adds instant impact.

Esschert Design Cast Iron French Urn Planter

A large garden planter doesn't have to be bulky; something like this shallow dish design works just as well.

LuxenHöme Blue Glazed Planter

One of the pricier options on this list, there's no denying that the shimmering blue of this planter is stunning.

Gardenaire Metal Square Planter Box

Made from galvanized steel, this weather-resistant design offers ample space for everything from colorful flowers to lush greenery.

Esschert Design Large French Urn

Forget your basic big planter; a cast iron urn is an easy way to add gravitas to a garden display.

SAFAVIEH Kenslia Large Sphere Planter Pot

This unusual planter brings timeless style to outdoor spaces with its striking silhouette.

As you can see, the best large planters all have a way of doing the heavy lifting in a garden, offering some serious structure and year-round style, even when everything else is still growing in.

Sometimes, all it takes is one bold container to shift the entire feel of a space. And, if you're clever about it, it won't cost the earth to find one, either. Good luck!

Support these beautiful, beneficial pollinators and create a gorgeous garden at the same time! Here's what to do in June to attract butterflies to your yard.

Foliage plants might not seem like obvious candidates for razzle-dazzle, but these leafy perennials hold their own against any big bloomers. These hardworking foliage heroes give long-lasting color, texture and awesome structure all summer

Before you reach for the trowel to refresh your baked summer soil, try this lovely lazy soil boost instead. These 3 simple soil treats are the super-easy way to set you up for a summer of growing success

You don't need to call in a landscaper to enjoy the soothing benefits of a garden water feature, however big or small your budget or backyard.

Keep clematis blooming beautifully every year by giving them the care they need now. Here's what you need to do in June for vines filled with flowers.

The right string trimmer will keep your yard looking fresh and clean. These are the top picks experts recommend you add to your garden shed.

A mud-puddling pool is just as important to butterflies as nectar-rich blooms, and it only takes 10 minutes to make.

Martha Stewart's perennial borders always look good – and it's not luck. Experts reveal the planting formula, succession secrets, and the fix most gardeners miss.

They provide birdsong and companionship year round, but during summer your robins really need your help. Here's how to help your feathered friends survive the summer in your backyard

A thumb knife makes pruning quick, easy, and kind of fun! Find out why this clever tool you've probably never heard of deserves a spot in your garden shed.

Don't let your plants get thirsty while you're away. These set-and-forget watering methods will help you worry less and relax more on vacation!