18 Best Fragrant Plants For Your Garden

Sweet peas in a garden — Photo:
Andyd/Getty Images

Being out in the garden is a feast for the senses, particularly when you're surrounded by fragrant plants. There's color, texture, the sound of breeze blowing through the trees, and, of course, the scent of a sweet smelling flower wafting through the air.

Part of planning a garden includes choosing flowers, vines, and shrubs for their fragrance. You can select these delicious smelling plants based on their timing, making sure that you'll have delightful fragrance throughout the seasons. From the gentle early spring notes of a daffodil to a rose bush filling the air with a fresh, powdery scent throughout the summer, these are 18 of the most fragrant plants to choose for your garden.

Althea Wiles is the Owner of Rose of Sharon Floral Design Studio in Springdale, Arkansas.
Meredith Bishop is the Owner of Bloom & Bounty, an urban flower farm in Nashville, Tennessee.

01 of 18

Gardenia

Botanical Name: Gardenia jasminoides
Sun Exposure: Full sun, part sun
Soil Type: Organically-rich, well-drained, loamy, moist
Soil pH: Acidic

The creamy white blooms of a gardenia are one of the South's most iconic flowering sights. With a sweet fragrance, these evergreen shrubs bring a floral show to your garden all spring and summer. Make sure they get full sun for maximum bloom production.

02 of 18

Lily of the Valley

Botanical Name: Convallaria majalis
Sun Exposure: Partial, shade
Soil Type: Moist but well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral

The delicate bells of lily of the valley have an equally delicate fresh and floral scent that pops up in early spring. "The tiny bell shaped florets provide no hint of the power of their fragrance. Preferring shade, and naturalizing readily, lily of the valley makes an understated but lovely addition to a garden," says Bishop.

03 of 18

Jasmine Vine

Jasmine flowers — Elizabeth Beard/Getty Images

Botanical Name: Jasminus
Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil Type: Rich, loamy, well-draining
Soil pH: Neutral

The abundant white flowers of jasmine vine are also some of the sweetest smelling you'll find in a garden. They have a slightly musky edge to their deliciously sweet and fruity fragrance, and the gorgeous vines will quickly spread throughout your garden. Bishop explains, "Jasmine vine comes in many varieties and several colors, but all are known for their sweet, delicious scent. Plant in full sun and provide plenty of space to climb for best production."

04 of 18

Daffodils

Botanical Name: Narcissus
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Moist but well-drained, rich
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral

These cheerful yellow flowers usher in the first days of spring, but have you ever taken a moment to stop and smell their sweet, honey-tinted scent? "Start with daffodils in early spring — their gentle fragrance sets the perfect tone," recommends Wiles. Cut a few to bring those first moments of spring indoors.

05 of 18

Peonies

Botanical Name: Paeonia
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, loamy
Soil pH: Acidic

"As spring deepens, let peonies take over with their irresistible scent," says Wiles. The abundant, layered blooms of peonies are a favorite of florists and gardeners alike. Not only do these flowers pack a punch with their color and texture, but they also have a sweet fragrance that can range from citrus to rose, depending on the type of peony.

06 of 18

Sweet Pea

Botanical Name: Lathyrus odoratus
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Organically rich, moist but well-drained
Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline

"Sweet peas are a nostalgic favorite of any gardener who admires heirloom blooms," says Bishop. These delicate flowers bring to mind a cottage garden, and they are easy to sow, cold hardy, and incredibly fragrant with a small that's similar to orange blossoms. Bishop adds, "Their perfume can’t be adequately described…or matched. It’s a top choice for a fragrant cutting patch."

07 of 18

Chocolate Cosmos

Botanical Name: Cosmos atrosanguineus
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic

"Chocolate cosmos are a summer sleeper that few know of! This heat-loving perennial produces gorgeous, delicate stalks of deep mahogany, perfumed blooms that many have compared to the scent of Hershey’s syrup," says Bishop. Their striking look, rich color, and chocolate-vanilla scent make them one of the most unique summer flowers to plant in your garden.

08 of 18

Tea Olive

Botanical Name: Osmanthus fragrans
Sun Exposure: Full, partial, shade
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Neutral to acidic

Tiny white blossoms appear on the tea olive throughout the year, and, despite their diminutive size, they have a rich, floral fragrance. With a scent that's similar to apricot and evergreen foliage, these large shrubs or small trees make a lovely addition to your backyard or garden.

09 of 18

English Roses

Pink roses — Yulia Shaihudinova/Getty Images

Botanical Name: Rosa
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-draining, rich
Soil pH: Slightly acidic

English roses, also known as David Austin roses, are one of the best types of roses to plant when you want both stunning blooms and a strong perfume. With double blooms and a scent that has all the iconic elements of a rose fragrance, these beautiful flowers have a soft, classic presence.

10 of 18

Hyacinth

Botanical Name: Hyacinthus orientalis
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Loamy, rich, moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral

A March or April garden bed filled with the colorful blooms of hyacinth is one of the most cheerful early spring sights. The vibrant spikes, which are often purple, pink, or white, have a floral, green, and sweet perfume that fills the spring air.

11 of 18

Lilac

Botanical Name: Syringa vulgaris
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Loamy, well-drained
Soil pH: Neutral

Walk past a lilac bush in full bloom, and you'll immediately turn around for a double take. The delicate fragrance of these violet flowers have a creamy, perfume quality. They don't grow well in the hottest parts of the South, though they may do well in the cooler temperatures of the mountains.

12 of 18

Lavender

Botanical Name: Lavendula spp.
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Alkaline

The instantly recognizable fragrance of a lavender plant is somewhere between floral and fresh. It brings to mind a spa-like feeling, and it's known for its calming, relaxing properties. Some varieties will bloom continuously from spring all the way through summer.

13 of 18

Mock Orange

Botanical Name: Choisya ternata
Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade
Soil Type: Rich, well-drained
Soil pH: Slightly acidic

One whiff and it's no surprise where mock orange gets its name. This darling white flowering shrub smells just like an orange blossom tree in full bloom. Pollinators absolutely love this sweetly fragranced tree.

14 of 18

Freesia

Botanical Name: Freesia spp.
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-draining, moist
Soil pH: Neutral

Pollinator-friendly freesia are native to Africa, but they can be grown as a hardy plant in zones 9-10. "Not only does freesia smell great, but they also bring color and beauty to your garden, making it a true haven for the senses," says Wiles, describing the flower's fruity, sweet fragrance.

15 of 18

Honeysuckle

Botanical Name: Lonicera periclymenum
Sun Exposure: Partial, dappled
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, rich
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline

While some varieties of honeysuckle can be invasive, common honeysuckle fills the summer air with a sweet, honey-tinged fragrance and a lifetime of nostalgic memories. This fast-growing vine is a favorite of hummingbirds and bees, attracting these pollinators with its irresistible perfume.

16 of 18

Wisteria

Botanical Name: Wisteria spp.
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, moist
Soil pH: Slightly acidic

Between the sweet smell of wisteria and its classic trailing purple blooms, there are few spring flowers that are more beloved. But this vine can take over quickly and its blossoms are short-lived. Make sure it's trained to climb over an arbor or an arch, where you can enjoy its fragrance, then tidily prune it back.

17 of 18

Stargazer Lily

Botanical Name: Lilium orientalis 'Stargazer'
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-draining, moist, loamy
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral

While many lilies are known for their strong fragrance, stargazer lily is a favorite of gardeners for its potent but pleasant scent. If you're in the vicinity of these joyful, upward-facing lilies (hence the name!), you'll immediately know it. There's a slight spice to their fragrance, which makes it more interesting than other lilies.

18 of 18

Sweet Alyssum

Botanical Name: Lobularia maritima
Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
Soil Type: Well-drained, moist
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral

The honey-scented blooms of sweet alyssum will cover the ground with a carpet of white in summer and fall. The delicate, abundant blooms are a favorite of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

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18 Fragrant Plants To Fill Your Garden With Delightful Scents