The Top 7 Fragrant Garden Plants

Is there anything more delightful than the scent of fresh flowers in your garden or on your balcony? With summer just around the corner, it's the perfect time to embrace outdoor living. From warm sunshine to vibrant blooms and the gentle hum of bees, nature is coming alive once more. By introducing fragrant plants into your garden, patio, or balcony, you can create a serene holiday retreat right at home.

There are plants that release their scent when touched, flowers that fill the air with sweet fragrance during the day, and shrubs that emit a captivating aroma in the evening. These aromatic plants are readily available at garden centres and local nurseries near you.

Fragrant Garden Plants

The aroma of roses, lavender, or geraniums can add a new dimension to your garden. Not only will it look beautiful, but it will also smell wonderful. Some species may already be familiar to you, while others might be new discoveries. Visit a local Garden Centre and explore the top 7 fragrant garden plants.

1. Roses

While modern roses often boast extended blooming periods and disease resistance, they sometimes lack the classic rose fragrance. Fortunately, many garden centres offer a vast selection of traditional roses that will infuse your garden with their characteristic scent. At local garden centres and nurseries, you can find various types:

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

2. Lavender

The scent of lavender evokes memories of warm summers and distant holidays. Lavender is perfect for planting in pots on the patio or as a low hedge by the front door. The fragrance is released when the plant is touched, and it retains its grey-green foliage during winter. You can also dry the flowers and use them in scented sachets or as a flavouring in the kitchen. Lavender thrives best in sunny, dry locations.

3. Scented Geranium (Pelargonium)

Like lavender, scented geraniums release their fragrance when touched. Rub a leaf between your fingers and enjoy the aroma. Here are some popular varieties:

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

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

4. Anise Hyssop (Agastache)

Anise hyssop has leaves that emit an anise-like scent when touched, hence the name. This perennial plant has a long blooming period with small lilac or white flowers and attracts butterflies and bees. It is moderately hardy and grows well in both pots and garden beds. Place it in a sunny spot.

5. Lilac

The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) can grow into a shrub reaching five metres in height. 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 enchanting fragrance. 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 striking climber that releases its sweet scent in the evening. The flowers, which come in various colours, attract bees and butterflies, making it an excellent choice for a pollinator-friendly garden. The plant thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soil in full sun or partial shade.

7. Sweet Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)

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

Local garden centres and nurseries offer a wide selection of fragrant plants. Give your garden or balcony an extra dimension with these aromatic additions. From fresh roses to spicy lavender, you're sure to find something that suits your taste. Visit, smell, and discover your favourite fragrant plants at your local garden centre.