Radermachera “Summerscent”

If you’ve walked past a radermachera in full flower on a warm evening and stopped in your tracks wondering what that scent was, you already know why this tree has a following. Radermachera ‘Summerscent’ is a compact, well-behaved tropical tree that earns its place in any warm-climate garden on fragrance alone — then backs it up with handsome, glossy pinnate foliage that looks polished year-round.

The flowers appear in flushes through the warmer months, trumpet-shaped and creamy white, clustered among the fine-textured leaves. The scent is sweet and penetrating without being heavy — the kind that drifts across a garden on still evenings and draws you toward it. Plant it where you’ll appreciate that: near an outdoor dining area, along a path, or within reach of a window or verandah.

Radermachera are underused in Australian tropical and subtropical gardens, which is a shame because they’re genuinely easy. ‘Summerscent’ is tidier and more compact than the straight species, making it a better fit for smaller gardens and courtyard plantings where you want a flowering tree that won’t outgrow its welcome. It handles full sun well and is reasonably wind tolerant once established, though it will appreciate a drink during dry spells while it settles in.

A good choice for anyone who wants a tropical garden that smells as good as it looks — pair it with ylang ylang, gardenias and fragrant heliconias for a scent-led planting scheme that’s worth sitting beside on a summer night.

This is an excellent screening plant!