Here are some of our favourite scented plants that truly shine in late summer:
Buddleja (Butterfly Bush)
Known for its nectar-rich, honey-scented flowers, Buddleja is a magnet for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Its long, arching panicles come in shades of purple, white, and pink. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and makes a dramatic and fragrant statement in any border.
Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Sun Ka-Ching’
A vibrant, long-blooming perennial that brings a bold splash of golden-yellow colour to the late summer garden. Its daisy-like flowers with prominent dark centres stand tall on sturdy stems, making it a striking choice for borders, pollinator gardens, or mixed beds. Flowering from mid to late summer into early autumn, ‘Sun Ka-Ching’ provides essential seasonal interest when many other perennials begin to fade. It’s also highly attractive to bees and butterflies, drought-tolerant once established, and low-maintenance, making it both a visually appealing and practical choice for extending garden colour late into the season.
Salvia ‘Hot Lips’
Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ adds a touch of fun and fragrance to the late summer garden. Its bi-coloured red and white blooms release a warm, herbal aroma when brushed. It’s drought-tolerant, highly attractive to bees and continues flowering right into autumn. It’s a sun-loving, low-maintenance plant with a big personality.
Roses
Many rose varieties continue to flourish well into late summer, bringing with them a delicate, welcome fragrance. Hybrid tea roses remain a standout in the plant area, known for their graceful, elongated buds that gradually unfurl into large, striking blooms perched on tall, upright stems. Typically producing a single bloom per stem, most hybrid teas are prolific repeat bloomers, providing colour and beauty throughout the season. One particular standout at the moment is the ‘Maxim’ rose, it’s especially stunning right now, offering both visual appeal and a rich, captivating scent. Another excellent choice is the David Austin ‘Pilgrim’ rose, with its soft yellow petals and gentle fragrance, it flowers reliably from June through to September, making it a charming and dependable addition to any garden.
Nepeta (Catmint)
Nepeta make a lovely addition to a late summer border with its soft, aromatic foliage and long-lasting violet-blue flowers. It thrives in hot, dry spots and offers a gentle, minty fragrance. The haze of colour it provides is perfect for softening edges and filling any gaps.
Rosemary
While often thought of as a culinary herb, rosemary is equally valuable for its ornamental and fragrant qualities. Its needle-like foliage releases a strong, piney aroma, especially when warmed by the sun.
Lavender
No scented garden is complete without lavender, by late summer, earlier flushes of flowers can be trimmed back to encourage a second wave of flowering. The silver foliage and iconic fragrance remain a strong presence throughout the season. Lavender is a timeless garden staple where its scent can be enjoyed well into a late summer evening.
Echinacea ‘Coneflower’
Echinacea flowers bloom from mid-July through late August, sometimes even into September, showcasing a vibrant range of colours from white to yellow, pink, and orange. One of the greatest pleasures of growing Echinacea is watching the abundance of bees and butterflies it attracts. These hardy striking perennials are easy to grow and have become increasingly popular in gardens, they pair beautifully with other late-season perennials and ornamental grasses.
Tips for Late Summer Gardening
To keep your garden looking its best through the end of summer and into autumn remember to deadhead regularly by removing spent blooms, this encourages more flowers to form and will keep your garden vibrant for longer. Late summer can bring dry conditions, so be sure to water deeply and consistently, especially during heatwaves. Add a layer of mulch on top of beds and borders to help retain soil moisture and the keep roots cool, which is particularly beneficial for late summer plants. With the right selection of plants, your garden can be a tapestry of colour even as summer fades into autumn. A great idea is to succession plant by staggering your planting times or choosing plants with different blooming periods, this will ensure continuous colour in your garden. By incorporating some of these late summer bloomers, you’ll enjoy a vibrant, lively garden for weeks to come.
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