Beautifully Scented Plants for a Fragrant Garden
June 13th, 2025 | Categories
There’s something truly magical about a garden filled with fragrance. Whether it’s the heady perfume of summer roses, the fresh scent of spring hyacinths, or the honey-like aroma of winter flowering mahonia, scented plants bring an extra dimension of pleasure to your outdoor space. With just a bit of planning, you can enjoy delightful scents all year round, no matter your level of gardening experience.
Here’s a guide to highly scented plants that will keep your garden smelling divine throughout the year.
January: Sweet Scents in the Depths of Winter
- Daphne odora – This winter beauty produces clusters of pink, intensely fragrant flowers, bringing cheer to the coldest months.
- Sarcococca (Christmas Box) – A small evergreen shrub with highly scented white flowers, ideal for shady corners.
- Mahonia x media ‘Charity’ – Bright yellow winter blooms with a honeyed fragrance, loved by pollinators.
- Chimonanthus praecox (Wintersweet) – A shrub with translucent yellow flowers and a spicy, clove-like scent.
February: Early Blooms and Spicy Aromas
- Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) – A semi-evergreen shrub with delicate white flowers and a sweet, lemony scent.
- Iris unguicularis (Algerian Iris) – Deep violet-blue flowers with a light, sweet fragrance, blooming in the winter sunshine.
- Edgeworthia chrysantha (Paperbush Plant) – Golden-yellow flowers with an exquisite fragrance that thrives in sheltered spots.
- Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ – Clusters of pink flowers with a strong, sweet perfume appearing on bare stems.
March: The Awakening of Spring Perfume
- Hyacinths – These spring bulbs provide a strong, sweet fragrance in shades of pink, blue, and white.
- Witch Hazel (Hamamelis mollis) – Spidery yellow flowers with a subtle, spicy scent that wafts through the air.
- Crocus ‘Blue Pearl’ – Delicate blue flowers with a light, honeyed scent.
- Narcissus ‘Bridal Crown’ – Double daffodils with creamy petals and a heady, citrusy fragrance.
April: A Burst of Fresh Spring Fragrance
- Viburnum carlesii (Korean Spice Viburnum) – A deciduous shrub with pink buds opening into white, wonderfully fragrant flowers.
- Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) – A spring classic with large, scented flower clusters in shades of purple, pink, and white.
- Azara microphylla – Tiny yellow flowers with an incredible vanilla scent, perfect for sheltered gardens.
- Magnolia stellata – Star-shaped white flowers with a delicate, lemony fragrance.
May: The Month of Heavenly Blossoms
- Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) – Tiny white, bell-shaped flowers with a powerful, sweet perfume.
- Wisteria – Cascading violet or white flowers with a light, fresh fragrance that enhances walls and pergolas.
- Peonies (Paeonia lactiflora) – Large, ruffled blooms with a soft, rose-like scent.
- Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange Blossom) – Evergreen shrub with citrus-scented white flowers and glossy foliage.
June: Roses and Sweet Summer Air
- Roses (Rosa ‘Gertrude Jekyll’, ‘David Austin’ varieties) – Some of the most beautifully scented garden plants, ideal for borders and trellises.
- Philadelphus (Mock Orange) – White flowers with a citrusy, orange-blossom fragrance, perfect for hedges and borders.
- Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) – A fast-growing climber with intense, sweetly scented white flowers.
- Lavatera (Mallow) – Soft pink blooms with a subtle, musky fragrance that attracts bees and butterflies.
July: Mid-Summer Sweetness
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – A timeless favourite, loved for its calming scent and long-lasting blooms.
- Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus) – Delicate, pastel-hued flowers with an intense, sweet fragrance, ideal for cutting gardens.
- Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) – Cone-shaped flower clusters with a strong honey-like scent.
- Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) – Towering flowers with a soft, powdery fragrance.
August: Late-Summer Aromas
- Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum ‘Scentsation’) – A climbing vine with beautifully scented, tubular flowers that attract pollinators.
- Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata) – Tall, vibrant flowers with a deliciously sweet perfume that lasts well into late summer.
- Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) – A night-scented plant with lemon-scented yellow flowers.
A Fragrant Garden All Year Round
By carefully selecting a variety of these scented plants, you can create a garden that offers a sensory experience throughout the entire year. Whether you prefer the nostalgic aroma of summer roses, the crisp citrusy notes of winter bloomers, or the sweet perfume of spring bulbs, there’s a perfect plant for every season. To get the most from your fragrant plants, choose a warm, sheltered spot where their perfume can linger. Near doorways, patios, or seating areas are perfect locations, ensuring you catch the scent as you step outside or relax in the garden. Pathways and borders also make wonderful spots, allowing you to brush past aromatic foliage and enjoy their fragrance up close.
