Sensory gardens are often associated with elderly or blind people but there is no reason why gardeners should not enjoy a herbaceous border or shrubbery created specifically to create scents. There are many considerations and, not least, is the need to include autumn scent (e.g. Camellia sasanquas) or winter aromas (e.g. Hamamelis) alongside the more traditional summer extravaganza. Plants which produce strong scents tend to have white or very colourful flowers designed to attract insects in late spring or summer. Other plants with strong scents only tend to produce them in the evening to attract moths. This is the reason, for instance, that Magnolia grandifloras are so often grown near the house. Whatever your sensory objective there are a few old favourites listed below but we are happy to create more specific suggestions if supplied with photographs of your garden.
You can use the plant finder above to see all the scented plants we stock.