Flowers have the wonderful ability to brighten any garden, but they can also smell absolutely wonderful!
If you are needing some inspiration, or just want a list of the best smelling flowers for your garden, you need to try one of these 16 choices.
They all have different scents, but each just as appealing.
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| In this guide |
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| - most fragrant perennial flowers - most fragrant annual flowers |
Most Fragrant Perennial Flowers
1. Roses
Roses are the most fragrant and sweet flowers, after all they have been talking about them since Shakespeare’s time.
They require full-sun, but there are many different colors to choose from.
Another great thing about roses are that they are perennials, which means they will grow year after year!
2. Lilac Bushes
Lilac bushes have a floral, yet fruity smell to them. They are another perennial that will come back year after year, and grow quite large.
They range in color from pink to purple, and even a light blue.
Make sure to plant them in a location that gets full sun or at the very least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
3. Peonies
While their scent is subtle, it’s a sweet one for sure! Peonies want full-sun, and well-drained soil.
Like roses, they come in many styles and vivid colors.
Also, they are perennials that will grace your garden for years to come!
4. Climbing Jasmine
Unlike many of the other flowers, Jasmine releases its beautiful aroma at night.
It's best to plant Jasmine in partial to full sunlight, but you will get more flowers if it gets more sun!
This wonderful climbing Jasmine is also another perennial, so you get to keep enjoying it year after year.
5. Magnolia
Magnolia trees have another great scent especially if you enjoy a citrus aroma.
Not only does it smell wonderful, it also looks absolutely charming with its pink and white flowers.
Surprisingly, it is also believed to be the oldest know flowering tree in the world.
Plant your magnolia tree in a spot with partial shade or full sun if you keep the soil nice and moist!
6. Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle is a vine that will attract hummingbirds and also butterflies.
As the name would suggest, honeysuckle flowers resemble the smell of honey and a mix of citrus!
They really like full sun, so plan accordingly.
7. Dianthus
Dianthus flowers are another great addition to your garden both for their gorgeous colors, but also their scent.
Like many of these other best smelling flowers, the dianthus is a perennial.
Plant these in full sunlight for the best outcome!
8. Star Gazer Lilies
Star gazers are another jaw-dropping beauty that look and smell amazing! You will want to plant them in full sunlight, but they will come back year after year.
These lilies also come in many different colors, from pink and white, to orange and yellow!
9. Iris
Irises like 6-8 hours of full sunlight and will grow every year!
They have many different colors and scents, my favorite being the purple one. Growing up, I always thought they smelled like grapes.
10. Lavender
Lavender has a sweet scent that has been known to help reduce stress and insomnia. To grow these purple flowers, you will need to plant them in a spot with full sunlight!
They are also a perennial, so you plant once and have them year after year. Just take care not to overwater Lavender, as it can cause fungus too grow and hinder the plant.
11. Salvia
Similar to lavender, Salvia or russian sage is another beautiful flower that smells sweet!
They grow well in full-sun and also partial shade.
What's also great about salvia is that they come in purple and pink.
12. Rhododendrons (also known as azaleas)
Rhododendrons are a beautiful perennial plant with a sweet scent. They like locations with morning sun and well-drained soil.
Also, they can get quite large (anywhere from 3-6 feet) and attract bees, hummingbirds, and also butterflies!
13. Phlox
Phlox flowers smell remarkably like honey! They are perennials (come back year after year) that prefer a shady cool location in your garden.
They also come in a variety of colors, so you are sure to find one to suit your color scheme.
Most Fragrant Annual Flowers
14. Gardenias
Gardenias also have a sweet smell that many crave!
They are another perennial that prefers morning sun, not an afternoon sun. Plant this accordingly.
The gardenia flower is white, with a dark green foliage, making it a great groundscape.
15. Sweet Pea
Sweet pea flowers are sought-after for their orange and honey scent, however most are annuals.
Annuals mean they will grow once, so you will have to re-plant these every year.
Sweet peas like full sun and can be grown on a trellis for a show-stopping display.
16. Heliotrope
Heliotrope has tiny purple flowers with a mouth-watering scent of cherry pie, almond, and vanilla.
There isn't anything else out there quite like Heliotrope! Make sure it can get 6 hours of MORNING sun wherever you decide to plant it.
These magnificent flowers are annuals, so you will need to plant them again and again to enjoy their wonderfull aroma.
17. Freesia
Freesias are some wonderful flowers that smell a bit like fruit loops! How crazy is that?!
They even have bright colors of reds, yellows, pinks, and purples.
If you don’t already have these planted, make sure they're on your list this year.
Depending on your location, they may come back year after year, but if you have harsh winters-probably not!
Also, freesias are a bit particular when it comes to temperature, so plant these in partial sun.
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