Five scented plants for August
Take a look at some of our favourite scented plants for August, including picks for homemade herbal tea.
A warm summer evening spent outdoors is the ideal time to enjoy the fragrance of scented plants.
While some plants have fragrant blooms, others release their scent when crushed or brushed past. Discover how to create an area for scented plants.
Discover five scented plants for August, below.
Lemon verbena
If you can, plant lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) at head height to enjoy the sweet-smelling flowers. As the name suggests, the leaves are also aromatic and can be used to create a revitalising herbal tea.
Chocolate cosmos
Sumptuous and scented, chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus) blooms are said to smell like vanilla and hot chocolate. It's tender, so will need lifting and storing over winter, as you would with dahlias.
Bronze fennel
There are plenty of reasons to grow this stately perennial – not least its refreshing, aromatic foliage. Bronze fennel is hugely popular with pollinators too, particularly hoverflies, the larvae of which eat aphids and other garden pests.
Roses
When all else fails, you can depend on roses to fill your garden with rich perfume.
Five ways to grow better roses
Sweet alyssum
Richly scented and producing masses of frothy white flowers, sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) are brilliant scented plants for August. Combine with other annuals to create a gorgeous wildlife-friendly hanging basket.
More plants with aromatic foliage
Christmas offer
Gift a subscription to BBC Gardeners' World magazine and save 51% on the shop price.
Year Planner 2025 on sale
Starting to plan your gardening year? The Year Planner 2025 is packed with expert advice from the Gardeners’ World team, to ensure you have your best gardening year yet.
New podcast series
Join Monty and the team for advice on winter gardening, tulips, caring for birds, house plants and more in the new BBC Gardeners' World Magazine podcast series.
