The 7 Most Fragrant Plants for Your Garden

Is there anything more pleasant than the aroma of fresh flowers in your garden or on your balcony? With summer fast approaching, now is the ideal time to embrace outdoor life. From warm sunbeams to vibrant blooms and the gentle buzz of bees, nature is coming back to life. By adding fragrant plants to your garden, patio, or balcony, you can create a relaxing retreat without leaving home.

There are plants that release their scent when touched, flowers that perfume the air throughout the day, and shrubs that emit a captivating fragrance in the evening. These aromatic plants are widely available at garden centres and nurseries near you.

Fragrant Plants for Your Garden

The scent of roses, lavender, or scented geraniums can bring a new dimension to your garden. Not only will it look stunning, but it will also smell divine. Some species might be familiar, while others could be new discoveries.

1. Roses

While modern roses often feature extended blooming periods and disease resistance, they sometimes lack the traditional rose fragrance. Thankfully, many garden centres offer a wide selection of classic roses that will fill your garden with their signature scent. You can find a variety of these at your local garden centres and nurseries, including:

• Hybrid French Roses (Rosa gallica) like musk roses (Rosa moschata) and Japanese rugosa roses (Rosa rugosa).
• Gallica Roses such as the apothecary's rose Rosa Gallica 'Versicolor', which blooms in June with a delightful fragrance.
• Musk Roses, which bloom repeatedly, available as shrubs or climbing varieties.
• Japanese Rugosa Roses, robust shrubs with a single blooming period.

2. Lavender

The scent of lavender brings to mind warm summer days and distant holidays. Lavender is perfect for pots on the patio or as a low hedge by the front door. The fragrance is released when the plant is touched, and it keeps its grey-green foliage throughout winter. You can also dry the flowers and use them in scented sachets or as a culinary herb. Lavender thrives best in sunny, well-drained spots.

3. Scented Geranium (Pelargonium)

Similar to lavender, scented geraniums release their fragrance when their leaves are rubbed. Here are some popular varieties:

• Lemon Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens or crispum), with a lemony scent and purple blooms.
• Pelargonium 'Roses of Attar', which has a rose fragrance and pink flowers.
• Pelargonium odoratissimum, with a sweet apple scent and small white flowers.
• 'Chocolate Peppermint', with a peppermint aroma, mauve flowers, and chocolate-brown leaf markings.

These geraniums are perfect for pots on your balcony or patio.

4. Anise Hyssop (Agastache)

Anise hyssop has leaves that give off a scent reminiscent of anise when touched, which is how it got its name. This perennial blooms for a long period with small lilac or white flowers, attracting butterflies and bees. It is moderately hardy and grows well in both pots and garden beds. Place it in a sunny location.

5. Lilac

The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) can grow into a shrub as tall as five metres. There are also dwarf varieties (Syringa patula) that stay smaller, as well as lilacs trained as standard trees. These plants bloom in May and June, filling the air with their captivating scent. They thrive in sunny or lightly shaded spots. Flowering branches make excellent cut flowers when placed in a vase with floral food.

6. Honeysuckle (Lonicera)

Honeysuckle is a stunning climber that releases its sweet scent in the evening. The flowers, available in various colours, attract bees and butterflies, making it an excellent choice for a pollinator-friendly garden. This plant thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soil in full sun or partial shade.

7. Sweet Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)

Sweet Rocket might be less well-known, but it can certainly make an impact in your garden. This perennial blooms from May to September with white, pink, or lilac flowers that emit an even stronger fragrance at night. It grows to about 80 centimetres tall and prefers a moist, partially shaded spot.

Local garden centres and nurseries offer a wide range of fragrant plants. Enhance your garden or balcony with these aromatic additions. Whether you prefer fresh roses or spicy lavender, you're sure to find something that suits your taste. Visit, explore, and discover your favourite fragrant plants at your nearest garden centre.