Love at first sniff
GET a lift every time you sniff with fragrant flowerbeds that last all summer.
You can enjoy Russian sage until late September with its cloud of lavender-purple blooms that smell like Vicks Vaporub. They grown on 60-120cm stems that are clothed with equally scented grey leaves.
It has a see-through quality, so use it to create a ribbon of colour in a herbaceous border. Or mix with heleniums, crocosmia and echinacea – it contrasts well with the warm shades of these late-summer blooms.
Phlox paniculata can also be relied on to pack a punch at this time of year. The bee-friendly Franz Schubert, bred by the late Alan Bloom, has an exceptional sweet perfume.
Its pearlised lilac blooms look stunning alongside the violet-blue flower spikes of Salvia nemorosa.
Liquorice
Another perfumed plant that lingers through early autumn is Actaea simplex, a bugbane with spires of scented white flowers. The variety James Compton is the most fragrant of the dark-leaved types and adds real drama. A favourite with butterflies, it is happiest in light shade.
Phlomis russeliana, which can survive a drought, has a fresh soapy scent reminiscent of wash day.
Another must-have drought buster is Anise hyssop, which looks beautiful in summer and autumn when it is covered with spikes of lavender-blue, liquorice-scented flowers.
For a more exuberant display of fragrant flowers and foliage until the end of September, plant catmint alongside your roses.
Put it near the edge of the border and it will flop over on to the path and become crushed underfoot to release its minty scent. But don’t worry, it can be easily clipped back later.
Lemon verbena has leaves that release a zingy scent when you brush past. Artemisia arbortanum also releases an intoxicating sweet aroma on the slightest touch.
Surround patio seats with pots of scented-leaved pelargoniums.
The names say it all, with varieties Orange Fizz and Chocolate Peppermint. Add a purple heliotrope for extra cherry fragrance, then inhale.