25 Fragrant Plants That Will Make Your Garden Smell Amazing
These lovely perfumed plants add another level of enjoyment to your garden.
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There are many things to consider when you're planning a garden.
What types of flowers would you like to feature? You'll want to consider what range of colors and textures you're interested in. And are you more interested in perennial plants and flowers year after year or do you want to enjoy the immediate benefits of the best annuals? (Unsure of why you'd want one or the other? Here's what the terms actually mean.)
You should probably educate yourself on the different kinds of roses and choose a variety or two. And there there's those flowers that attract hummingbirds and flowers that attract butterflies. Both kinds of flying beauties will add another layer of lovely to your outdoor space.
But a garden is not just about sight, as you well know.
"Texture, color and seasonality are all important concepts, but scent often is overlooked when designing a garden," says Boyce Tankersley, director of living plant documentation at the Chicago Botanic Garden. "Fragrance adds an extra layer of richness to the landscape."
Even if you don't have a yard that's acres and acres large, you still can indulge in the luxury of scented plants. Place them where they will be most appreciated most—think pots and containers places by your front door, along walkways where you'll brush by them and release their sweetness, or near windows where you can pick up their scents on the breeze.
Take a look at a few more helpful links to get your garden tools, garden beds, and vegetable options organized for the summer season too!
• Editors' Picks: Our Backyard and Garden Must-Haves
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• 11 Things Beginners Should Know Before Starting a Vegetable Garden
Sweet Alyssum
Tiny blooms on this delicate annual beckon to pollinators. Sweet alyssum looks lovely cascading from containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets or tucked into a rock garden as a flowering ground cover.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Sun Exposure: full sun to partial shade
Soil Condition/pH: well-drained / slightly acidic to neutral
Varieties to Try
Snow Princess: Profuse white blooms all season long without deadheading
Dark Knight: Deep purple blooms pair well with other annuals in containers
Mexican Orange Blossom
Native to the southwestern region of the United States and Mexico, its flower blossoms and crushed leaves smell similar to its namesake—the orange. Newly cultivated shrubs grow extremely fast and mature ones grow at a slower pace.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-10
Sun Exposure: full sun to partial shade
Soil Condition/pH: nutrient rich, well-drained / slightly acidic to neutral
SHOP MEXICAN ORANGE BLOSSOMS
Wisteria
Make a statement by growing this vining plant on a pergola or lattice wall. Flowers in shades of blue and purple bloom in spring and late summer. Wisteria likes full sun but will grow in part shade; depending on variety, the fragrance can be faint to overpowering.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-8
Sun Exposure: full sun to partial shade
Soil Condition/pH: moist and well-drained / slightly acidic
SHOP WISTERIA
Honeysuckle
This showy, vigorous perennial vine spills beautifully over a trellis or fence-line, and pollinators love it, says Tankersley. Look for the native or newer types, which are not invasive like Japanese honeysuckle.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Sun Exposure: full sun
Soil Condition/pH: well-drained / neutral
Varieties to Try:
Yellow honeysuckle: Native variety which tolerates a variety of soils
Scentsation: Flowers from mid-spring to late summer, followed by bright red berries
SHOP HONEYSUCKLE
Moonflower
The pretty flower is beloved for its sweet perfumed scent and blossoms that look similar to trumpets. Typically, the nocturnal vine's buds unfurl at night to release a rich scent and display white blooms.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-12
Sun Exposure: full sun
Soil Condition/pH: evenly moist, well-drained /slightly acidic to neutral
Helpful Tidbits: It's toxic to humans and pets.
SHOP MOONFLOWERS
Gardenia
You get a lot of bang for your buck with this shrub thanks to fragrant flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer and then again in late summer and early fall. Plant in moist, well-draining soil; gardenias thrive in zones 6-11.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-11
Sun Exposure: full sun to partial shade
Soil Condition/pH: moist and well-drained / acidic
SHOP GARDENIAS
Rose
"Every garden should have at least one rose," says Tankersley. "They're not as fussy as many people believe, and many newer roses also are highly selected for insect and disease resistance."
When selecting a plant, read the tags and look for those that specifically state that they're scented, as some types have been bred more for form than fragrance. Read our guide to growing roses here.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-11
Sun Exposure: full sun
Soil Condition/pH: well-drained / moderately acidic
Varieties to Try
Mr. Lincoln: An old favorite in a striking scarlet red color with incredible scent
Princesse Charlene de Monaco: A new scented rose with light apricot to pink double flowers
SHOP ROSES
Freesia
Tubular flowers come in a variety of shades including white, orange, red, blue, yellow, and lavender that bloom in summer. They are known for the very sweet scent they add to your outdoor oasis.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-10
Sun Exposure: full sun to partial shade
Soil Condition/pH: moist, nutrient rich, and well-drained / acidic
SHOP FREESIA
Jasmine
It's highly coveted for its intoxicating aroma and commonly used in perfumes and lotions. Jasminum is a vining flower from the Oleaceae "olive" family that includes over 200+ species of perennial plants.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-10
Sun Exposure: full sun to partial shade
Soil Condition/pH: nutrient rich, loamy, well-drained / neutral to slightly alkaline
SHOP JASMINE
Phlox
Phlox come in shades of pink, white, salmon, purple, red, and bi-colors. Plant as part of a mixed border or in large swaths for impact, suggests Tankersley. Many types self-seed, so they'll come back on their own next year. Give them plenty of air circulation so they won't get powdery mildew.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Sun Exposure: full sun to partial shade
Soil Condition/pH: moist, nutrient rich, well-drained / moderately acidic
Helpful Tidbits: The plant is highly tolerant of drought-like conditions.
Varieties to Try
David: a pure white tall variety that's especially fragrant
Flame Pink: a compact hot pink type with an extra-long bloom time
SHOP PHLOX
Bearded Iris
The distinct flowers sit atop a tall stem and a have an unmistakable bloom the looks like cascading petals that are often referred to as falls. Each flower has a sweet and musk-like scent. Read our growing guide to irises here.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Sun Exposure: full sun
Soil Condition/pH: loose, well-drained /neutral to slightly acidic
Helpful Tidbits: It's toxic to cats and dogs.
SHOP BEARDED IRIS
Hyacinth
As you can see, this perennial plant comes in a number of bright, beautiful colors and does best in USDA Hardiness zones 4-8. The abundant, fragrant flowers bloom in spring and last for about two weeks, and because they are so large, they may require support in order to avoid flopping.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Sun Exposure: full sun to partial shade
Soil Condition/pH: moist and well-drained / neutral to acidic
Varieties to Try
Delft Blue: This award-winner sports light blue flowers that tower above bright green stems
Pink Surprise: Both the sweet smell and delightful soft pink petals add much to a garden
Lily
This pretty and fragrant blossom is also known by its botanical name—lilium. The sweetly scented trumpet-like flowers with six petals is native to North America, Europe, and Asia and includes over 100 species. (Here are 17 of our favorites.)
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Sun Exposure: full sun (6-8 hours is ideal) to partial shade
Soil Condition/pH: nutrient rich, loamy, well-drained / slightly acidic to neutral
Helpful Tidbits: Some varieties have edible petals and bulbs like the tiger lily.
SHOP LILIES
Butterfly Bush
Sometimes called summer lilac, this sturdy little shrub in shades of white, pink, or purple withstands drought, blooms all season long, and attracts pollinators. It's now available in dwarf varieties, so it won't overtake your garden, and newer types are not invasive. Set in borders or as mass plantings.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-10
Sun Exposure: full sun to partial shade
Soil Condition/pH: moist, well-drained / acidic to neutral
Helpful Tidbits: The plant will thrive in areas with medium humid and it performs poorly in overly moist or dry conditions.
Varieties to Try
Lo & Behold Blue Chip Jr.: Grows just 18 to 30 inches tall to fit in smaller spaces
Asian Moon: Larger size with deep purple flowers that have orange throats
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Azaleas
These classic ornamental flowers are prized for their dazzling blossoms and native to the areas in Asia, Europe, and North America. The bloom emits a sweet and spicy clove-like scent.
Here's more on how to grow azaleas.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9
Sun Exposure: partial shade
Soil Condition/pH: evenly moist, nutrient rich, well-drained / acidic
Helpful Tidbits: It's toxic if consumed by humans and pets.
SHOP AZALEAS
Flowering Crabapple
This spring-flowering tree is a showy addition to the landscape with small crabapples and attractive fall color. Newer types are more disease-resistant.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Sun Exposure: full sun
Soil Condition/pH: moist, nutrient rich, well-drained / acidic to neutral
Helpful Tidbits: The plants seed are toxic if consumed by humans and animals
Varieties to Try
Prairie Fire: Dense, rounded shape with pinkish-red buds and good disease resistance
Royal Raindrops: Magenta flowers and striking deep purple foliage all season long
SHOP FLOWERING CRABAPPLE TREES
Lavender
The beloved woodsy subshrubs commonly appears in herb planters and colorful gardens. The strongly scented stunner blooms in a variety of pretty shades from deep violet to blue and white to pink hues that contrast with its green base. It's used to make potpourri, DIY crafts, and edible creations such as cookies and herbal tea.
Read our lavender growing guide for more information.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-10
Sun Exposure: full sun
Soil Condition/pH: moist, well-drained / slightly acidic to slightly alkaline
Helpful Tidbits: It's generally drought resistant.
SHOP LAVENDER
Peony
This shrubby perennial plant with glossy dark green foliage may require staking to keep its heavy blooms from drooping, but their lush, exuberant flowers are worth a bit of extra work.
Don't plant too deep or they won't bloom. The ants that visit the flowers aren't pests; they're simply sipping the nectar, says Tankersley.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7
Sun Exposure: full sun
Soil Condition/pH: airy, moist, nutrient rich, well-drained / acidic to neutral
Varieties to Try
Festiva Maxima: Classic for generations thanks pure white blooms with crimson flecks
Sarah Bernhardt: Heirloom with gorgeous medium-pink double blooms
Sweet Pea
This annual climbing plant can grow up to eight feet with proper support on a trellis or wall. It's originally native to the areas in Europe and the Mediterranean. The flowers emit a delicate floral and honey aroma.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-10
Sun Exposure: full sun to partial shade
Soil Condition/pH: moist, nutrient rich, well-drained / alkaline
Helpful Tidbits: It's toxic if consumed by humans and pets.
SHOP SWEET PEAS
Magnolia
There's nothing sweeter than the smell of these large flowers, which bloom in spring and summer, depending on variety. Make sure you give them plenty of room to expand—some can grow up to 40 feet wide.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-10 but thrives in the south (7-10)
Sun Exposure: full sun to partial shade
Soil Condition/pH: nutrient rich, moist, well-drained / neutral to acidic
Varieties to Try
Southern Magnolia: Con: it's a slow grower (up to 10 years from seed); Pro: it's evergreen
Bigleaf Magnolia: The name says it all—leaves may grow up to 32 inches long
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
Janece Maze is Associate Editor at Country Living, where she covers DIY projects, gardening, and travel. When she’s not in the kitchen creating a new recipe with farm fresh ingredients, you can find her on the road heading to a music festival or browsing a local consignment shop.
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