This little bunch of linaria is the result of a mini 'Chelsea Chop'.
Bedding plants are sometimes in full flower when you buy them now. The advantage is that you know exactly what the flowers look like, you don't have to depend on the picture on the label. The disadvantage is that the flowers will soon be over. I compromised here by cutting back every second stem or so on the linaria to encourage side shoots and many more flowers - when these current flowers fade I shall cut those stems hard back. This way I won't get as many flowers all at once, but I will get flowers over a much longer period which is what I want here.
I've put one plant of linaria with three of erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican daisy) in each of the five pots on the steps (this is them after their chop!)
I also bought a few small plants of heliotrope Cherry Pie - even this tiny plant (the jug in this picture is about three inches high) scents the warm air all around.
I have some in the greenhouse.
It's delicious in there today.
Anything smelling nice in your garden today?
Tomorrow - more about the Chelsea Chop, timing, and the Olympics....