Five scented plants for August

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

• Vietnamese coriander (Persicaria odorata)
• Scented-leaf pelargoniums
• Bee balm (Monarda citriodora)
• Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
• Rosemary
• Purple shiso (Perilla frutescens)
• Chamomile
• Mint