Gardens that are rich in fragrant plants have qualities that are not normally revealed by those gardens that are unscented. Once you have detected an unusual and captivating scent in the garden few people can resist tracing it to its source. Plants rich in scent will attract a wide range of insects, butterflies and bees are especially attracted to sweet smelling flowers during the day while moths are attracted at night. Flowers that have a fruity fragrance are often pollinated by beetles where as plants with a fetid nature, such as the skunk cabbage attract flies, especially bluebottles.

  My list below is a parade of fragrant plants for all parts of the garden, from borders packed with summer flowering annuals to rose beds and arches. There are trees and shrubs with fragrant flowers and others with rich aromatic foliage. You can create scent in the garden during all seasons of the year, in all places or situations. To get the most from scented plants place them by a window you open, an area you sit by, near the front door and by the path you walk on each day.

Annual and biennials

Herbaceous perennials

Bulbs and corms

Climbers and wall shrubs

Trees and shrubs

Plants with scented leaves