Fragrant Flowers and Their Names
There’s nothing more calming than the gentle scent of a flower guiding your sense of smell. Scented flowers and fragrant blooms are some of the best things about gardening. They release a lovely smell into the air that can be so relaxing to the senses.
We have two fragrant flowering plants on our patio: the jasmine I got from Wal-Mart a couple of years ago and the night-blooming jasmine that I received from my uncle, which has been flowering for years now.
If you are not interested in the previous two fragrant flowering plants, here are some other options for you to consider, including pictures.
18 FRAGRANT FLOWERING PLANTS
ROSE (Rosa spp.)
Flower color: Purple, blue, white, pink, orange Soil: Average, well drained Shrubs come in a variety of colors and sizes and can typically be found in zones 4-11. They do best in full sun to part shade and average, well drained soil. Shrubs typically bloom in the spring and summer.
The scent of each rose varies, from light and citrusy to strong and musky. However, some roses are bred for appearance rather than fragrance and have little to no scent. To avoid buying one of these, read the plant tag or do a sniff test before purchasing. Another helpful source of information is the American Rose Society.
GARDENIA (Gardenia spp.)
This plant is a shrub that does best in zones 8 through 11. It prefers light shade and can be anywhere from 3 to 8 feet tall, depending on the variety. It blooms in May and June, though some varieties will bloom into autumn.
Although gardenias are mostly pollinated by moths, they give off a more intense fragrance at night. This, along with the fact that they produce luminous white flowers, makes them a perfect addition to any moon garden.
If you want to learn more about how to take care of gardenias, read on. Gardenias are a beautiful and popular plant, but they can be a bit tricky to grow. However, with a little patience and the right care, you can have success. Here are some tips on how to care for gardenias. Gardenias are a beautiful and popular plant, but they can be a bit tricky to grow. However, with a little patience and the right care, you can have success. Here are some tips on how to care for gardenias: -Place gardenias in an area that gets plenty of sunlight. They need at least six hours of sunlight per day. -Water gardenias regularly. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. -Feed gardenias monthly with a fertilizer made specifically for blooming plants. -Prune gardenias to shape them and remove any dead or dying branches. With proper care, gardenias can be a beautiful and rewarding addition to your home.
HYACINTH (Hyacinthus orientalis)
Soil: Moderately fertile, well-drained Bulbs should be planted 4 to 6 inches deep and 6 to 8 inches apart. This is a bulb plant that does best in zones 3-9. It prefers full sun to part shade, and is 6 to 12 inches tall. It blooms in early to mid-spring. The ideal soil for this plant is moderately fertile and well-drained. When planting bulbs, they should be 4 to 6 inches deep and 6 to 8 inches apart.
Hyacinths are a great early spring flower that are very fragrant and showy. They are a good nectar source for bees and butterflies and also repel deer because of their strong smell.
MOCK ORANGE (Philadelphus spp.)
Flower color: Bright pink This plant is a shrub that is native to zones 4-8. It prefers full sun but can also grow in partial shade. It typically grows to be 3-10 feet tall. The blooming period for this plant is Late spring to early summer, and the flowers are bright pink.
These shrubs get their name from the fact that they look and smell like orange flowers.
Grown as an ornamental garden plant, hibiscus can reach heights of up to 10 feet tall and produce white, four-petaled flowers in late spring up through early summer.
This plant should be grown in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Be sure to plant it in a hole that is deep enough for the roots to have plenty of room to spread out.
Even though the plant can survive with little water, keep the soil moist until it becomes accustomed to its new home.
This plant also does well when it is given a little compost or all-purpose fertilizer periodically.
LILAC (Syringa vulgaris)
to mid-July This plant composed of many small white flowers blooming in which appear in late May and early June This shrub is composed of many small white flowers that appear in late May and early June. It thrives in full sun and reaches a height of 12 to 15 feet.
Lilacs are some of the most iconic flowering shrubs because of their heavy scent. The scent of their flowers are a trademark of spring and often reminds people of warm days in May. Even though most lilacs only bloom for a few weeks, the fragrance is worth the wait. Some lilacs bloom more than once a year.
SWEET ALYSSUM (Lobularia maritima and hybrids)
Flower color: White This plant is typically grown as an annual and does best in full sun to partial shade. It averages 4 to 10 inches in height and blooms from spring until the first hard frost. The flowers are white.
The dainty blooms of this plant, which come in shades of white, pink, rose, and purple, have a sweet scent like honey on toast. Planting a few of these in containers and hanging baskets is a great way to bring some fragrance to your deck, balcony, or patio all summer long and into fall.
Read more about how to grow sweet alyssum.
LAVENDER (Lavandula angustifolia)
This plant is a perennial that does well in zones 5-8. It prefers full sun and can grow to be 2-3 feet tall. It blooms from June to August.
I love lavender because it’s one of my favorite colors. It’s also so easy to pick some blooms and uplift your mood with its calming scent.
The Lavandula dentata smells great, and I love it. I saw a hummingbird flying around my potted lavender plant, and it was so close to the ground that I decided to put the pot next to the glass sliding door so I could get a better view if it came back.
If you want your plant to thrive, plant it in full sun in chalky, sandy soil. Be sure to supplement with organic matter like compost, and if possible, protect the plant from strong winds.
Water the plant deeply, but only when the soil starts to feel dry. Be careful not to overwater the plant, as it would rather have less water than too much.
PEONY (Paeonia lactiflora)
This plant is a perennial that blooms from May to June. It grows to be 2-3 feet tall and does best in full sun. It can grow in zones 3-8.
Some peonies smell stronger than others, like roses. The fragrance can range from light and citrusy to sweet and spicy. The most fragrant peonies are double white and pink. When shopping for peonies, look for plants that are early, midseason, or late blooming. Choosing a few from each category will allow you to enjoy the fragrant blooms from midspring through early summer.
FREESIA (Freesia spp.)
The plant is a bulb and grows best in zones 9-10. It should be placed in an area of full sun and is only 1-2 feet tall. It typically blooms 10-12 weeks after it is planted.
Freesias are beautiful flowers that come in many jewel-toned colors and smell faintly of strawberries. They are easy to grow and make excellent cut flowers for bouquets. Some people believe that the white freesias are the most fragrant.
HONEYSUCKLE (Lonicera spp.)
This vining shrub does well in partial to full sun and is 5 to 20 feet tall. It blooms in May and continues through mid-summer.
Honeysuckle can be either a vine or a shrub and can grow up to 10 meters high. It is a favourite of hummingbirds and is also used in alternative medicine due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
This yellow flower that smells nice is a symbol for love. People say that the fragrance of the flower can make you dream about love.
This plant does best in full sun or a partially shaded area. It will need a trellis or some other support to grow as a climbing vine.
Water your plant frequently after planting it, and keep the soil moist. However, once it has established itself, you’ll only need to water it during long summer droughts.
LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY (Convallaria majalis)
Soil: Moist, well-drained Perennial ground cover that does well in zones 3-7. It does best in partial to full shade and is 6 to 18 inches tall. The bloom time is mid to late spring. The ideal soil for this plant is moist and well-drained.
You’ll be head-over-heels for this spring bloomer not just because of its delightful fragrance, but also because of its showy white flowers. Hanging like fairy bells above rich, green foliage, lily-of-the-valley is a beautiful groundcover that thrives in shady areas. So even if your garden is mostly shady, you can still enjoy a profusion of these lovely blooms come springtime.
JASMINE (Jasminum spp.)
Plant characteristics: Flowering, evergreen This plant is a vining shrub that is evergreen and blooms in early to late summer. It can reach 20-30 feet in height and needs full sun to partial shade exposure.
In its nativePersia and Southeast Asia, this deciduous shrub is planted as an ornamental plant. It grows about 4 meters tall. The scented flowers are made into leis and are used in offerings and for welcoming visitors.
I bought the jasmine pictured above a few years ago from a Wal-Mart garden center. Every spring, it’s covered in beautiful, sweet-smelling white blossoms.
This plant grows best in partial to full sun, with no fewer than six hours of sunlight a day. The ideal soil for this plant is moist and well-draining, without being either too dry or too waterlogged.
You should water your jasmine frequently during the spring and summer months, but reduce watering in the fall and only water once every few weeks during the winter.
TUBEROSE (Polianthes tuberosa)
Soil: Well-drained, fertile Bulbs: 6-pack This plant is a bulb that can grow in zones 7-10 in full sun. It can get up to 4 feet tall, and blooms from July to September. The soil should be well-drained and fertile. You can buy this plant in a 6-pack.
This summer-blooming bulb is a favorite in cut flower arrangements because its tall spikes of creamy white blooms permeate the air with an irresistible sugary-sweet fragrance. Because of the thick stems, the cut flowers will last for weeks in a vase before the fragrance wanes. Numerous cultivars are available, including varieties with double flowers and pink or yellow blooms. These tender bulbs are not frost-tolerant, so if you live in a colder climate, be sure to dig up the bulbs at the end of the season and store them for the winter.
BUTTERFLY BUSH (Buddleia davidii)
Flowers: Multicolored This is a description of a shrub that does well in zones 5-9. It will do best in full sun and can grow to be 18 inches to 7 feet tall, depending on the variety. The shrub will bloom in the summer and continue until the first frost. The flowers on the shrub will be multicolored.
Compact shrub with honey-scented flowers that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. May reseed aggressively, so choose a newer cultivar that is non-invasive. Enjoy the scent and the parade of visiting pollinators near patios, gathering areas, or windows.
WISTERIA (Wisteria spp.)
Soil: Moist, rich This plant is a vine that does best in full sun and moist, rich soil. It is hardy in zones 3-9 and can climb 10 to 30 feet. It blooms in spring and summer.
It is often used in landscaping because of its beauty. This plant is called Chinese wisteria – it’s a woody vine that every spring blooms in different colors. It’s often used in landscaping because it’s so beautiful.
Since wisterias can climb anything in a counter-clockwise motion and can grow up to 70 feet tall, they are considered to be invasive climbers. You should consider growing wisterias in an open area so that it can be easily trimmed or mowed.
To properly care for this plant, grow it in moist soil that has good drainage. Place the plant in an area that gets full sun. If possible, it is also good to place a layer of compost near the plant. This plant will need support, so place it near a trellis or pagoda.
In order to control weeds and retain moisture, apply a 2-inch layer of mulch every spring.
Wisteria does not need a lot of water, but it must be trimmed regularly to prevent it from overwhelming its surroundings.
HELIOTROPE (Heliotropium arborescens)
This plant is usually grown as an annual in zones 9-11. It prefers full sun and is 12 to 18 inches tall. It blooms from planting until frost.
This plant produces large clusters of vanilla-scented flowers which bloom vigorously all summer long. The scent is most noticeable on warm evenings. It should be grown in a container or in flowerbeds near a seating area to enjoy the sweet fragrance.
FLOWERING TOBACCO (Nicotiana sylvestris)
Zinnia flowers are usually grown as an annual and thrive in full sun to part shade. They typically grow to be 3-5 feet tall and bloom from June until there is a frost.
Jasmine tobacco is considered to be the largest flowering tobacco, reaching heights of up to 5 feet tall. However, it is mostly only grown for its fragrance.
The flowers come in pink, purple, yellow, red, and white colors and are loved by hummingbirds, who enjoy their nectar.
To care for this plant, grow it in moist soil that drains well and is rich in organic matter. Place the plant in an area that gets full sun or partial shade.
The plants mentioned enjoy warm weather and soil but need to have moist soil. They also should be kept away from cold temperatures as they are not resistant to frost.
Fertilize once a month throughout the growing season.
STARGAZER LILY (Lilium orientalis ‘Stargazer’)
Flower colors: Lavender-rose, pale pink, white Naturalizing: Yes This bulb does well in zones 4-9 in full sun to part shade. It grows to be 3 to 4 feet tall and blooms in mid to late summer. The flowers are lavender-rose, pale pink, or white. This bulb naturalizes well.
Although most lilies are wonderfully fragrant, this oriental lily hybrid has an especially swoon-worthy scent. ‘Stargazer’ is also one of the easiest lilies to grow, despite the exotic appearance of its huge pink and red-spotted flowers. A gorgeous addition to cut flower arrangements, but use sparingly because the intense fragrance can be overpowering indoors.
TIPS FOR DESIGNING A FRAGRANCE-FILLED GARDEN
You can have a fragrant garden throughout spring and fall by including a variety of plants that bloom in different seasons. Place the plants throughout your garden so the different scents are easily discernible. Some flowers are more fragrant at different times of day, like after a rain shower or during a hot summer afternoon.
