When planning out your garden this year, consider which are the most fragrant flowers to grow, adding the joy of scent to your garden repertoire.
Having a tiny sprig of fresh flowers by the bedside is a little luxury that really isn’t that luxe at all. I love the ceremony and gesture of going out in the garden just to sweetly pick something for someone.
I got this idea from listening to one of my many British podcasts. It seems that the English culture is much more garden-centric, and something that inspires me to keep trying to influence us Americans to live more of our lives around the garden. Alas, one blog post at a time!
It was Sarah Raven’s podcast with Arthur Parkinson that I was listening to and she mentioned some carnations she grew with a very specific scent that she liked to grow for by the bedside. Take note that she mentions how (and we all probably know) carnations from the store are hardly pretty smelling and often not pretty looking. Womp womp. But, there are some unique and fun plant varieties to grow at home, many of which have the most fragrant flowers.
Why Plant Fragrant Flowers
I realized as I listened, that with each season we have a few options that are fragrance-forward and perfect to plant just for the surprise and delight of it. Like sneaking a few stems by the bed of a guest or even my husband, which is a gesture that adds magic to an ordinary day. I am extremely interested in this everyday magic. The mundane is much more manageable with it!
On top of the joy of it, many flowers have specific meanings and medicinal purposes. It’s so fun to mix your flowers in with an herbalistic and natural approach to living.
Plan By Scent
Now is certainly the time to start considering which flowers to grow, where to place them, and when. I recommend writing in your phone calendar the flowers that you’ll want to plant when it’s about a month out from actually planting. That gives plenty of time to prepare or purchase.
In February we start to really see some heavily scented blooms unfurl. Jasmine is blooming at that time if you’re far south enough. Freesia is about to pop, if you’ve planted the bulbs in winter. Spring is just around the corner with plenty of fresh fragrant flowers, and summer is awash with even more options.
Below is a list of some of the most fragrant flowers with gorgeous scents – perfect for placing by your bed or amongst a larger arrangement in the house, of course.
Strength of Scent
I think it’s important to note the strength of each flower’s fragrance. Too much of a good thing is too much (and also a headache/ allergy attack). Some scents are also heightened once inside. Consider placing them by an open window that first day.
14 of the Most Fragrant Flowers to Grow
- Honeysuckle has a sweet honey-like smell and is a gorgeous vine. that should be planted in spring. It blooms in summer, and though the flowers are edible, do not eat the berries as they can be toxic.
- Jasmine is a floral sent that is rich and sweet, considered by many to be an aphrodesiac. You can plant between June and November, blooming in late summer, or early spring depending on your hardiness zone.
- Gardenia flowers are unique in that their scent changes as the day progresses. They have a creamy coconut scent that can get zesty with green undertones. Plant in the fall and early spring with blooms in late summer and fall.
- Plumeria is a tropical plant that is very fragrant, with varying scents. Some fragrances are soft, fruity, and sweet. Others are a bit citrusy and jasminey. Plant plumeria from cuttings when it’s warm. They bloom May to November.
- Rose is a classic flower, with a classic romantic almost clove-like scent. However, some roses are bred to be more fragrant. Plant as a bare root in fall/ winter or six weeks before first frost. Most roses bloom late May to early Fall.
- Freesia has a fruity, sweet, and airy scent that is likened to strawberries. Plant these from April to June and enjoy late winter/ early summer blooms.
- Lavender is another classic scent that tends to be woodsy and floral. Lavender is used medicinally for calm and sleep, and does very well dried. Plant after any signs of frost. Blooms in summer.
- Viburnum has a spicy and yet sweet scent, best planted in spring or fall with blooms in summer.
- Sweet Pea smells like myriad amazing things: orange blossom, honey, jasmine and rose. It should be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in spring and will bloom late spring/ early summer.
- Lilac is a deep, rich florally vanilla smell. It can be planted in fall before frost, or early spring before buds open. Blooms mid-spring.
- Hyacinth is a very green scent with a bit of spicy floral. Plant bulbs in fall before ground freezes to see spring blooms.
- Peony has a light and sweet scent reminiscent of rose without the pepper notes. Plant in spring or fall for early summer blooms.
- Mock Orange is fantastic and smells of orange blossoms. Plant from spring to early fall with May to June blossoms.
- Tuberose is very fragrant and has an almost creamy poweder scent with a touch of jasmine. Plant in spring with mid to late summer blooms.
I hope you get a chance to play and grow some of these fantastic flowers. They’ll lure in pollinators and add that extra special something to your garden and home. There truly is a flower for every season, or think outside the box into trees like Eucalyptus that can add to your home’s vibe in the Winter.
Happy flower planting my friends!