Scent from outdoor blooms can trigger a memory, help create a vibe, and help you relax.
Its hard to remember that plants arent there to perfume our gardenstheir fragrance is meant toattract pollinatorsor deter predators.
A roses sweet smell, for instance, draws bees and butterflies.
Credit: Jon Jensen
Keep in mind that some plants, likewitch hazel, perfume the air as you walk by.
Other plants have scents that aren’t easily carried on the wind.
Here are our recommendations for adding fragrance to your outdoor living space, day or night.
Credit:Bob Stefko
Azalea
Bob Stefko
Some types ofazaleasoffer fragrance as well ascolorful flowers.
The blooms appear in spring and summer, depending on variety.
Fall or spring is the best time to plant this shrub in warmer climates.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
This tough,low-care groundcovercan be planted and practically forgotten in shady spots.
A relative of tobacco, nicotiana is also known as flowering tobacco or jasmine tobacco.
Plant it near your patio or a bedroom window ina moon gardenbecause the scent is most pronounced at night.
Credit: Denny Schrock
The blooms come in white, cream, yellow, lime green, pink, and red.
And although it’s perennial in frost-free regions, nicotiana is usually grown as an annual.
Oriental lilies bloom in mid- to late summer in white, pink, and yellow.
Credit: Bill Holt
These blooms have a sweet scent, most apparent on warm, sunny days.
This perennial border staple also attractshummingbirds and butterflies.
If possible, do a sniff test on roses before you buy them.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Some are powerfully fragrant, and others have no scent at all.
They’re prized for being one of the most fragrant flowers.
It willclimb up to 8 feetas a vine in a single season.
Credit: Jon Jensen
Without support, it will grow in a bushy mound up to 30 inches tall.
Their flowers appear in nearly every shade, plus stunning bi-colors.
Plant them in fall in well-drained soil to enjoy their powerful scent the following spring.
Credit: Bob Stefko
Flower colors range from purple to pink, red, white, and yellow.
Grow hyacinths alongpathsor in mixed borders,rock gardens, and containers.
you’re able to evenforce its bulbsto enjoy indoors during the winter.
Credit: Mary Carolyn Pindar
Bearded Iris
Beardedirisesare available in almost every color of the rainbow.
They’re among the mostfragrant flowersin any spring garden, with scents ranging from anise to floral to fruity.
The large, heavily ruffled flowers and sweet fragrance of ‘Belgian Princess’ have an engaging appeal.
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
The scented purple flowers with yellow beards of ‘Variegata’ are reminiscent of grape soda.
Zones:4-9
Lilac
Thanks to theirintense scent and color, lilacs (Syringaspp.)
are hard to miss when they’re in bloom.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Lilacs are durable and can thrive in almost any growing condition except shade.
They’ve alsoheld symbolic meaningin many cultures for centuries.
beautiful additions to just about any landscape.
Credit: Brie Passano
Some of the most fragrant crabapple varieties include ‘Charlottae’, ‘Brandywine’, and ‘Prince Georges’.
Some say cherry pie, others say vanilla, and others say grape jelly.
It’s easily grown as an annual in locations where it isn’t hardy.
Credit: Bill Stites
Size:Up to 18 inches tall
Lavender
Be transported to Provence by growinglavender(Lavandulaspp.)
The flowers and foliage of this herb produce aromas that permeate the countryside of southern France in midsummer.
If you plant it next to a walkway, you’ll catch a whiff every time you pass by.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Size:Up to 9 inches tall
Peony
The old-fashioned, fuss-freepeony(Paeoniaspp.)
can thrive for years without special care.
However, not all varieties are fragrant.
Credit: Helen Norman
The double, white-and-pink peonies tend to be the most fragrant.
Moonflower
As its name suggests,moonflower(Daturaspp.
)opens at night.
Credit: David Patterson
It is easily grown as an annual where it isn’t hardy.
This large tree is one of the moststunning additions to any ornamental gardenlandscape.
Its four-petaled blooms resemble the shape of orange blossom, though it doesn’t belong to the citrus family.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Theberries will attract birdsto your garden.
Plus tree lilacs get taller.
it’s possible for you to find varieties with flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white.
Credit: Andreas Trauttmansdorff
These lilacs are also prettydrought-tolerant once established.
The yellow, orange, and white cup-shaped blooms add texture and color to the landscape.
To start your fragrant garden early,force the bulbs indoors.
Credit: Mike Jensen
Some more fragrant daffodil varieties include ‘Actaea’, ‘Baby Moon’, and ‘Canaliculatus’.
Size:Up to 30 inches tall
Roach, Margaret.
The Invisible Garden of Scent.The New York Times.
Credit: Mary Carolyn Pindar
Pointers for Placing Plants with Strong Fragrance.Horticulture.
North Carolina State University Extension Toolbox.
North Carolina State University Extension Toolbox.
Credit: Bill Stites
Credit: Jerry Pavia
Credit: Denny Schrock
Credit: Matthew Benson
