There’s something truly magical about stepping into a garden filled with the gentle perfume of flowers. The scents we experience in our gardens have the power to evoke memories and emotions, creating a connection between moments of our lives and our outdoor space. Whether it’s the sweet fragrance of a beloved bloom or the refreshing aroma of herbs, a scented garden brings an extra layer of charm to your outdoor space.
Creating a fragrant haven doesn’t require expert gardening skills or endless hours of research. In this article, we’ll share with you our top 9 flowers to create a beautiful scent in your garden.
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Our Tips For Adding Scented To Your Garden
Before we get into our top plants Creating a beautifully scented garden isn’t just about choosing the right plants – placement, care, and timing all play a role. Here are some practical tips to help you fill your garden with fragrance:
Choose Layered Scents
We’d recommend choosing plants that release their fragrance at different times of the day and throughout the seasons to make sure that you always have something to smell in your garden. For example, morning blooms like Jasmine can complement night-scented flowers like Nicotiana, ensuring your garden smells delightful around the clock.
Watch Out For Clashing Scents
Be mindful of how fragrances interact as too many strong scents in a close area can compete and overwhelm the senses. Instead, create different zones of fragrance, such as a relaxing Lavender border or a dining area surrounded by the sweet notes of Sweet Peas and Nicotiana.
Plant In High-Traffic Areas
We’d recommend planting fragrant plants in the areas that you’ll be most, such as along pathways or near seating areas. That means you’ll never be without a beautiful scent! Climbing plants like Honeysuckle or Jasmine work beautifully when grown over arches or pergolas, creating a fragrant entrance or shaded retreat.
What’s more, placing hardy plants, such as lavender, along pathways causes your clothes to rub against the plant which releases an even stronger scent for you, so is definitely something that we recommend.
Consider Container Fragrance
Pots and containers are a great way to help you bring scent closer to your home. Simply place them on patios, balconies, or by windows so you can enjoy the aroma both inside and out. Plus, containers make it easier to control fast-spreading plants like Mint.
Think Vertically
While we’re talking about bringing your plants off the ground, let’s bring them to head height! We’d recommend using trellises, fences, and walls to grow climbing plants with lovely fragrances, like Clematis or Jasmine. This adds height, visual interest, and an extra layer of scent to your garden without taking up much ground space.
You can learn more about growing planting vertically with our complete guide here.
Our Top 9 Fragrant Flowers
Lilac (Syringa)
With their striking cone-shaped clusters of flowers in shades of white, blue, and purple, Lilacs are an incredible addition to your garden. Their rich, heady fragrance is the scent of early summer so it’s a great one to plant out to get you excited for the long summer evenings.
Mock Orange (Philadelphus)
The sweet, citrusy scent of Mock Orange is utterly captivating and definitely a plant that you should consider adding to your garden. This hardy shrub features delicate white flowers that herald the arrival of summer. While it does thrive in partial shade, it can grow to a substantial size, so make sure to think about its placement in your garden carefully.
Lavender
Perfect for borders, the versatile scent of lavender is a great addition to any garden. It can also be harvested to create dried bouquets or sachets to enjoy indoors making it a great addition to your space. Its soothing aroma is a true summer classic.
Sweet Pea
A quintessentially English garden staple, the Sweet Pea is beloved for its dainty, brightly coloured flowers and sweet fragrance. Easy to grow and perfect for cutting, these climbers are a must-have for any summer garden.
Sweet Peas have a delicate, sugary fragrance with hints of honey and soft floral undertones, which to me, really embody the essence of an English summer garden. They’re perfect for planting along trellises or fences so their climbing vines can create a stunning vertical display.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
Honeysuckle’s delightful perfume makes it the star attraction of any garden. If you’re looking to add height to your garden too, the climbing varieties are perfect for covering gateways, pergolas, or fences, while shrub varieties suit smaller spaces. Its enchanting scent is most pronounced during the warm evenings of summer, creating a magical atmosphere.
Mint
Mint is an essential addition to any garden as it offers a variety of scents, from classic spearmint to citrusy and fruity varieties. A quick brush of your fingers through its leaves releases its unmistakable fragrance. My personal favourite variety is peppermint as it has a bold and refreshing scent which really spices up the garden.
While it’s perfect for culinary use, it’s important to remember that it’s a quick spreader so growing it in containers could be a good idea if you want a minimal-effort garden.
Nicotiana
Ideal for pots and containers, Nicotiana adds a touch of drama to summer displays. It has a strong and alluring fragrance that becomes even more pronounced in the evening, making it a perfect choice for outdoor dining areas or late-night gatherings under the stars.
Jasmine
The exotic and delicate fragrance of Jasmine is a truly enchanting addition to your garden. In milder areas, it flourishes as a climber, producing cascades of tiny, fragrant flowers. For those seeking a hint of scent in cooler months, Winter Jasmine can brighten a garden and bring a touch of aromatic charm.
As a great climber, jasmine can be used to help bring fragrance and privacy to an outdoor seating space, which is why it’s one of our favourite scented plants for the garden.
Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora)
As summer begins to wane, the Sweet Autumn Clematis takes centre stage. Its prolific clusters of small white flowers will adorn fences, walls, or pergolas, filling the air with a gentle, sweet scent. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the last of the warm evenings.
Overview
A garden is not only about colour and texture but also about scent. Fragrance transforms a garden into a truly immersive experience. While we’ve highlighted just a few options, the possibilities are endless.
If you’d like to learn more about how to make the most of small spaces in your garden, take a look at our complete guide. Otherwise, take a look at our guide to make your outdoor space more private, including balconies!
