Good smelling white flowers
The 19 Most Fragrant White Flowers
The Best Types of White Flowers Revered for Their Fragrant Spring and Summer Blooms
White flowers provide a beautiful and soothing presence to any garden. But one of the best aspects of white flowers is their attractive aromas. Some of the most beloved and famous fragrances come from white flowers, like honeysuckle or jasmine. Read on as we take you through 19 of the most fragrant white flowers in the world.
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What Makes Flowers Fragrant?
All flowers need to attract pollinators to reproduce. By evaporating essential oils held in their petals, flowers create a noticeable floral scent to attract insects such as bees or butterflies.
Some flowers may seem more fragrant than others because each individual flower produces a slightly different scent. This creates huge variations in fragrance strength, even within the same species.
White flowers that bloom at night produce especially potent fragrances. With visibility reduced, these flowers can’t rely on a dazzling floral display to guide pollinators. Instead, these flowers utilize stronger fragrances to attract nocturnal pollinators like bats and moths.
Gardeners can increase flower fragrance through various practices. Plant fragrant flowers in a sheltered spot to keep their aroma in a particular place. Recent studies have also shown that areas with higher temperatures can diminish fragrance production, which may affect gardeners in warmer areas such as Zones 7 to 11.
Are White Flowers More Fragrant Than Other Types of Flowers?Although several white flowers, like Lily of the Valley and Honeysuckle, are famous for their robust and recognizable fragrances, not all white flowers smell more strongly than flowers of other colors.
Certain colors and fragrant chemicals in flowers, however, are correlated to help the right pollinators locate their food sources – even on windy days when fragrance might dissipate in the air.
When it comes to the fragrance of flowers, the strength of a flower’s scent is mostly up to genetics. However, water does seem to play an important role in the production of the floral essential oils we can smell. So, to encourage a sweet smell in the flowers you grow, make sure they have plenty of moisture.
19 of the Most Fragrant White Flowers
Here you’ll 19 heady and aromatic types of white flowers which are revered for their fragrance during the spring and summer months each year.
1) Jasmine
Jasmine is a famously fragrant flower that produces expensive essential oils for aromatherapy. These perennial climbing shrubs or vines come from Asia and the Middle East and will grow in USDA Zones 7 to 10. In many cultures, jasmine symbolizes beauty, intimacy, and love. Pakistan has adopted jasmine as its National Flower.
| Common and Botanical Names | Common Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) |
| What do they smell like? | Jasmine fragrance is described as exotic, intoxicatingly rich, and sweet. It produces a thick scent that hangs in the air. |
| Peak season | Flowers from June through to August |
| Most fragrant varieties | Arabic Jasmine (Jasminum sambac), Common Jasmine (Jasminum officinale), Spanish Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum) |
2) Honeysuckle
Honeysuckles are a collection of climbing vines and shrubs with both summer and winter varieties. These plants have a variety of medicinal uses, including aromatherapy. Nearly 200 species of honeysuckle are found across most continents, including North America where it grows in Zones 5 to 9. Honeysuckle symbolizes affection, happiness, new or first loves, and nostalgia.
| Common and Botanical Names | Common Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) |
| What do they smell like? | The scent of honeysuckle smells heavy and sweet, with a thick fragrance and notes of fruit, honey, and vanilla. |
| Peak season | Flowers from summer to fall (summer varieties) or November through to March (Winter honeysuckle) |
| Most fragrant varieties | Common honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) – “Scentsation”, “Sweet Sue”, Winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) |
3) Mock Orange
Mock Oranges are a family of perennial deciduous flowering shrubs that grow in parts of America, Asia, and southern Europe. The foliage looks exceptionally similar to true orange trees, where their common name originates. The leaves of some varieties can be used as relief for swollen joints. Mock Orange bushes grow well in Zones 4 to 8. It’s also the State Flower for Idaho and offers plenty of symbolic value.
| Common and Botanical Names | Mock Orange (Philadelphus) |
| What do they smell like? | Mock Orange has a sweet citrus aroma that is very similar to true orange trees. |
| Peak season | Flowers between May and July |
| Most fragrant varieties | Lewis’ Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii), Philadelphus “Virginal”, Philadelphus “White Rock” |
4) Summersweet “Vanilla Spice”
Summersweet is a deciduous shrub that grows across eastern parts of North America in Zones 3 to 9. The “Vanilla Spice” variety is particularly pungent and popular, with showy spikes of creamy white flowers. These plants can reach between three and six feet in height and are great for filling borders.
| Common and Botanical Names | Summersweet or Sweet Pepper Bush (Clethra alnifolia) |
| What do they smell like? | Summersweet “Vanilla Spice” has a delicate, spicy aroma similar to vanilla pods |
| Peak season | The potent “Vanilla Spice” cultivar flowers in the middle of summer to the end of the season. |
| Most fragrant varieties | Summersweet “Vanilla Spice” (Clethra alnifolia) |
5) Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum is an evergreen annual that produces a mat of small, delicate white flowers. Sweet Alyssum is native to southern France and several Mediterranean islands but can be grown in Zones 5 to 9. Alyssum is believed to help combat anger and increase calmness, and also symbolizes “sweetness of the soul” in Victorian horticulture.
| Common and Botanical Names | Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) |
| What do they smell like? | Although small, Sweet Alyssum flowers can pack a strong, sweet honey-like aroma. |
| Peak season | Sweet Alyssum can flower in both early spring and summer as well as in fall. |
| Most fragrant varieties | Sweet Alyssum “Snowdrift”, Sweet Alyssum “Snow Crystals”, Sweet Alyssum “Snow Princess” |
6) Lily of the Valley
Lily of the Valley is a beautiful perennial that produces a choir of white flowers that resemble bells.
Lily of the Valley thrives in woodlands throughout the Northern Hemisphere, growing in Zones 2 to 9. Although fragrant and lovely, the flowers are also toxic to both humans and pets. Lily of the Valley is honored as the birth flower for May and symbolizes happiness, motherhood, and purity.
| Common and Botanical Names | Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) |
| What do they smell like? | Sweet notes of lemon and a fresh scent sum up Lily of the Valley. |
| Peak season | Lily of the Valley flowers in late spring to early summer |
| Most fragrant varieties | Lily of the Valley “Albostriata”, Lily of the Valley “Hardwick Hall” |
7) White Roses
White roses are some of the most famous white flowers in horticulture. Grown as perennial climbers or shrubs, roses have been cultivated for thousands of years, with most varieties coming from Asia.
Roses now grow across the globe and thrive in Zones 7 to 9. White roses symbolize innocence, peace, and purity and are frequently used during weddings.
| Common and Botanical Names | White Roses (various Rosa species) |
| What do they smell like? | White roses are more delicate than other colors, with a musk carrying notes of lemon and violet. |
| Peak season | White roses usually bloom from late spring to summer and even into the fall. |
| Most fragrant varieties | White rose, “Margaret Merril”, White rose “Rambling Rector”, White rose “The Garland” |
8) Freesia
Freesias are herbaceous perennials that grow naturally in South Africa. In North America, they can be cultivated in Zones 9 to 11, but will also survive in colder areas as flowering annuals. White freesias have vibrant, funnel-like flowers that symbolize innocence and purity.
In general, freesias also symbolize friendship.
| Common and Botanical Names | Freesia (Various species) |
| What do they smell like? | Most freesia varieties have floral, fruity fragrances similar to strawberries, along with hints of mint or honey. |
| Peak season | Freesias typically flower between the start of summer and early fall. |
| Most fragrant varieties | Milky White Freesia (Freesia lactea), Freesia “White”, Freesia “White River” |
9) Spider Lily
White spider lilies are part of the Lycoris genus of perennial bulb flowers with upright stems. White spider lilies grow natively in Japan but are also suitable for Zones 5 to 9. These delicately fragrant flowers have curling white lashes and splayed flowerheads.
White spider lilies represent beauty, protection, purity, and rebirth and are popular as cut flowers for display.
| Common and Botanical Names | White Spider Lily (Lycoris albiflora) |
| What do they smell like? | A gentle, delicate fragrance heralds the arrival of white spider lilies. |
| Peak season | White spider lilies start blooming towards the end of summer and continue into the beginning of fall. |
| Most fragrant varieties | White Spider Lilly (Lycoris albiflora) |
10) Clematis
Clematis are perennial climbing and trailing plants or shrubs with over 300 known varieties. Clematis originally came from regions of Asia, but have spread throughout Zones 4 to 9. Clematis varieties symbolize aspiration, ingenuity, and wisdom.
Most species grown in the Northern Hemisphere are deciduous or herbaceous. These versatile plants are easy to grow and can suit most types of gardens.
| Common and Botanical Names | Clematis (Various species) |
| What do they smell like? | Clematis flowers give off a subtle fragrance that smells like almonds. |
| Peak season | Different types of clematis flower at different times, with the overall season spanning February through to September. |
| Most fragrant varieties | Armand clematis (Clematis armandii), Clematis x cartmanii “Avalanche”, Clematis “White Columbine” |
11) Plumeria
Plumerias are deciduous trees or shrubs native to the Caribbean and parts of Central America. They thrive in the warmer temperatures of Zones 10 to 12. Plumeria flowers are famously used to make traditional Hawaiian wreaths.
Plumeria blooms represent beauty, health, love, and purity. In Asian cultures, white plumeria flowers are common burial offerings.
For more, see our essential guide to growing plumeria flowers at home.
| Common and Botanical Names | Frangipani, various Plumeria species |
| What do they smell like? | Thick, intoxicatingly sweet scents are common to Plumerias. Notes vary between citrus and fruity scents to fragrances of spice. |
| Peak season | Plumeria species bloom from late spring, throughout the height of summer, and into the fall. |
| Most fragrant varieties | Singapore graveyard flower (Plumeria obtusa), White frangipani (Plumeria pudica) |
12) Magnolia
Magnolias are a family of flowering trees and shrubs found in parts of Asia and the Americas in Zones 4 to 9. Magnolias are one of the oldest known plant species, dating back nearly 100 million years. Beloved for their large, thick flowers, magnolias represent dignity and purity. Both Louisiana and Mississippi have adopted magnolias as their state flower.
| Common and Botanical Names | Magnolia (Various species) |
| What do they smell like? | Powerful flora aromas of fruits are common to Magnolias, although some varieties may have notes of spice as well. |
| Peak season | Magnolias usually flower from spring to the end of summer. |
| Most fragrant varieties | Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Magnolia sieboldii “Colossus”, Star magnolia (Magnolia stellata) |
13) Gardenia
Gardenias are relatives of the coffee plant and grow in tropical Africa, Asia, and Australia. Gardenias can be grown as houseplants or outside as perennial shrubs or trees, thriving in Zones 8 to 11. For those living in cooler climates, gardenias can still be enjoyed as annuals. Gardenias symbolize clarity, hope, and trust. They also represent intuition and self-reflection.
| Common and Botanical Names | Common Gardenia aka Cape Jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides) |
| What do they smell like? | Gardenias give off a rich, heady aroma with notes of citrus, coconut, and spice. |
| Peak season | Gardenias flower between mid to late spring and continue into the fall. |
| Most fragrant varieties | Gardenia jasminoides “Aimee”, Gardenia jasminoides “Chuck Hayes” |
14) Viburnum
Viburnums are deciduous or evergreen perennial shrubs that grow in Zones 4 to 8 across the Northern Hemisphere. Some of these hardy shrubs can flower in winter, while most emerge in spring and summer. There are over 150 varieties, all famous for their vibrantly colored berries and clusters of small white flowers. Viburnum flowers represent calmness, innocence, pride, and purity.
| Common and Botanical Names | Viburnum (various species) |
| What do they smell like? | Viburnums have a sweet, sophisticated scent that carries a slight note of vanilla. |
| Peak season | Most Viburnum varieties flower in the spring and summer into the fall, although some species can flower during winter. |
| Most fragrant varieties | Burkwood Viburnum (Viburnum x burkwoodii), Chinese Snowball (Viburnum macrocephalum) |
15) Phlox
Phlox is a versatile group of herbaceous flowers, coming in both annual and perennial varieties of different sizes. The majority of these flowers grow in North America through Zones 3 to 9. Famed for their intense colors, Phlox also produce a beautiful fragrance.
Phlox is associated with agreements, harmony, sweet dreams, and unity. Phlox is also used extensively in Native American medicine.
| Common and Botanical Names | Phlox (Various species) |
| What do they smell like? | White phlox flowers produce a subtle almond or vanilla scent with hints of honey or clove. |
| Peak season | Most phlox varieties flower from late spring to the end of summer. |
| Most fragrant varieties | Carolina Phlox “Miss Lingard” (Phlox carolina), Garden Phlox “Danielle” (Phlox paniculata), Garden Phlox “David” (Phlox paniculata) |
16) Stock annuals
Also known as Brompton or Hoary stock, stock annuals make excellent cut flowers thanks to their heavy aroma. These plants grow in parts of the Mediterranean and Southern Europe. They will also grow in Zones 7 through to 10. Stock annuals have been cultivated since the 16th Century and are thought to represent contentment, happiness, and everlasting beauty.
| Common and Botanical Names | Brompton or Hoary Stock (Matthiola incana) |
| What do they smell like? | Stock annuals produce a heady sweet scent with notes of spices such as cloves. |
| Peak season | Stock annuals can flower for most of the summer and some may continue into fall. |
| Most fragrant varieties | Matthiola incana “Alba”, Matthiola incana “Pillow Talk” |
17) Tuberose
Tuberose is a tropical herbaceous perennial previously native to Mexico before being cultivated by the Aztec civilization. Tuberose now grows in other tropical areas including Zones 8 to 10. Tuberose was first used for perfumes during the 17th Century as explorers brought the plants back to Europe. Tuberose represents peace and purity and was thought to guard wearers against spirits.
| Common and Botanical Names | Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa, Agave amica) |
| What do they smell like? | Tuberose is admired for its thick, sweet fragrance with creamy notes of beeswax or peach. |
| Peak season | Tuberose flowers from mid-summer into early fall. |
| Most fragrant varieties | Polianthes tuberosa “The Pearl” |
18) Lilac
Planted as scented shrubs or small trees, lilacs are hardy perennials related to olive trees.
Lilac comes from parts of Asia and southern Europe and can be grown in Zones 3 to 7. These hardy plants have especially strong wood, making them perfect for engraving. Lilacs commonly represent love but are also used in many regions in Easter festivities. White lilacs symbolize purity.
| Common and Botanical Names | Lilac (Various Syringa species) |
| What do they smell like? | Lilacs produce a cloying, thick, sweet scent with suggestions of vanilla. |
| Peak season | Lilacs are spring-flowering shrubs that bloom from May to July. |
| Most fragrant varieties | Himalayan lilac (Syringa emodi “Aureovariegata”), Syringa vulgaris “Madame Florent Stepman”, Syringa vulgaris “Vestale” |
19) Osmanthus
An osmanthus is a group of evergreen flowering shrubs and trees native to parts of Asia such as China and Japan.
In the US, these plants thrive in Zones 8 to 11. Several varieties flower during different seasons.
Also known as Holly or Tea Olive, Osmanthus leaves can make a wonderfully aromatic tea. Osmanthus represents faithfulness and love and is a common wedding flower in China.
| Common and Botanical Names | Osmanthus (Various species) |
| What do they smell like? | Osmanthus flowers have an alluring fruity smell, similar to apricot or peach. |
| Peak season | Most Osmanthus varieties bloom during the spring, with some species flowering in winter. |
| Most fragrant varieties | Osmanthus delavayi, Osmanthus suavis, Osmanthus yunnanensis |
Wrap Up
These 19 white flowers can add a calming atmosphere and delicious scents to your garden. Many of them will also attract vital nocturnal pollinators such as bats, helping the health of your garden.
From rich jasmine to delicate Phlox, these are some of the most fragrant white flowers available.
Fragrant White Flower FAQs:
What do white flowers symbolize?
White flower symbolism covers a multitude of meanings across cultures, species, and time periods. In the language of flowers, white flowers are often a sign of respect, peace, new beginnings, and innocence.
What do white flowers mean spiritually?
White flowers feature prominently in numerous spiritual practices spanning relgions and cultures around the world. In Buddhism for instance, the white lotus flower represents the spiritual journey to Nirvana – the ultimate point of englightment.
What is the most fragrant white flower?
Some of the most fragrant white flower varieties include honeysuckle, jasmine, lilac, osmanthus, phlox, and viburnum.
What determines the fragrance of a white flower?
The scent of flowers comes from thousands of various chemical compounds contained in a flower’s essential oils.
Most abundant in a flower’s petals, the fragrant oils evaporate in warm weather when a flower blossom opens, and the olfactory glands in our noses smell them.
How do you make white flowers more fragrant?
Whilst the scent of a particular flower is largely determined by genetics, ensuring your plant has sufficient water is thought to play an important role in the production of essential oils that produce floral aromas.
Andrew Gaumond
Editorial Director | Full Bio | + posts
Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.
The 10 Most Fragrant Flowers to Plant in Your Garden
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peony pink flowers
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These blooms will transform your yard into a sweet-smelling oasis.
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peony pink flowers
Credit: Getty / Isabel Pavia
While it's certainly true that non-fragrant blooms—like sunflowers, dahlias, tulips, and calla lilies, for example—are just as lovely as the sweet-smelling ones, your favorite blossoms do likely have a scent. This is understandable: So many memories begin with smell, which is why fragrant flowers so often stand out in our minds. The best way to experience your go-to floral fragrance regularly? Plant the blooms' shrubs, bushes, or trees into your very own garden.
Luckily, your fragrant flower options aren't limited—these blooms come in all shapes, sizes, and types, from ones that grow on trees in the tropics to tiny, compact blossoms that hug the ground.
Some are as showy as they are fragrant, while others don't look like much—but when you lean in close, they surprise you. Believe it or not, flowers can be fragrant in all kinds of ways: Some release a sweet smell all day long, while others make you wait until evening or nighttime. And there are fragrant bloomers for any season, from the first of spring's thaw to the dog days of summer. Longevity changes, too—certain varieties bloom for a few hours, and others persist for months.
There's a reason for all this fragrance. Flowers produce a scent in order to attract pollinators, which is crucial in continuing the life cycle of the plant. And these little critters are critical to a flourishing garden. To help you bring your own space to this level, we've rounded up the 10 most fragrant flowers—you and your garden's tiniest wildlife will thank you for including them.
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Rose
peach colored rose bloom
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A rose is a rose is a rose, except that's not actually true at all.
Roses have a wide range of fragrances, including fruity ("Jude the Obscure" is a great one), musky (like "Snow Goose"), and "classic" rose (like our absolute favorite, "Gertrude Jekyll").
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Gardenia
Gardenia milky-white flower
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Sweet Pea
sweet pea spring annual
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These spring-blooming annual vines range in scent, with heirloom varieties like "Cupani," being the most classic. Their fragrance is strong enough to waft down the street—which explains why they are a true treat to have in your garden.
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Daphne
daphne flower pink blooms
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Rewarding us at the end of winter, daphne flowers form on small mounding shrubs. The buds give off the sweetest clean-smelling scent, perfuming the air surrounding the bush.
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Angel's Trumpet
Angel’s trumpet yellow flower
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Though this plant is poisonous, its scent is certainly inviting. Only fragrant once the sun goes down, it wafts an exotic perfume around the air. Suspended on the branches of a small tropical tree, the yellow buds hang like oversized, upside-down squash blossoms.
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Lilac
lilac purple blooms spring flower
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Most people love the scent of lilacs, but some find it too astringent or similar to a go-to household cleaner. If you're into them, however, plant some of these multi-stemmed shrubs around your space—and expect to be wowed.
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Freesia
Freesia bell shaped flowers
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Planted in the fall as bulbs, freesia emerge in the spring as bell-shaped flowers lined along a single stem.
These flowers come in many hues, including white, golden yellow, orange, red, pink, mauve, lavender, purple and bicolors.
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Paperwhites
paperwhites flowers
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Strongly scented, paperwhites are a divisive bud: You either love or hate this type of narcissus. Plant these florals as bulbs and expect them to bloom in late winter or early spring. And then it's up to you to decide whether the musky scent smells good (which is our opinion!) or like dirty socks, as other suggest.
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Tuberose
Tuberose fall white flowers
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Another fall-planted bulb, these tropical-looking, tubular flowers bloom summer through fall. Their scent will leave you feeling like you're on vacation—even when you're standing in your own garden.
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Mock Orange
mock orange white blossoms
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This flowering shrub bursts into small white blossoms in spring or early summer.
Best of all is the sweet, citrusy scent of its flowers—though they're not actually citrus blossoms. They are, however, a great alternative for gardeners in climates too cold to grow orange trees.
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10 flowers that will fill the garden with unique aromas. Varieties, description, photos - Botanichka
Often, when we see a beautiful flower, we instinctively bend over to feel its fragrance. All fragrant flowers can be divided into two large groups: nocturnal (pollinated by nocturnal butterflies) and diurnal, whose pollinators are mainly bees. Both groups of plants are important for the grower and designer, because we often walk in the garden during the day and relax in our favorite corners with the onset of the evening. We are never allowed the fragrance of our favorite flowers. In this article we will talk about the most fragrant flowers that will delight you with their smell, mainly during daylight hours.
10 flowers that will fill the garden with unique aromasRead also our article 5 annuals that are fragrant in the evening and at night.
As you know, the smell of a flower has a chemical nature, it appears as a result of the formation of essential oils in the petals of inflorescences, which, when evaporated, are felt at some distance. Each flower has a unique aroma, because it is formed by a unique combination of various chemical elements. First of all, the smell serves to attract pollinating insects, which have a very subtle sense of smell. But this does not prevent us from enjoying their magnificent and unique fragrance.
Fragrant annuals
1. Petunia
The natural form of petunias has a very strong pleasant smell that intensifies in the evening, but it is also noticeable during the day. The fragrance of petunia is very similar to the aroma of its closest relative, fragrant tobacco.
Purple varieties have the strongest smell among terry petunias.
© Lyudmila Svetlitskaya The first varieties of petunias, close to wild species, had the same intense smell, but in the process of complex selection work on the selection of original colors in many hybrids, the pleasant aroma was partially lost, and sometimes even completely.
Purple hybrids tend to have the most fragrant flowers. But the inflorescences of non-traditional colors for petunias - red or yellow - usually do not smell at all. And a similar pattern can be traced in both simple and terry varieties.
Recently, breeders have begun to make efforts not only to return the former aroma to petunias, but also to make it more original. The most remarkable aroma is distinguished by such novelties of recent years as petunia Easy Wave Silver - whose smell is very reminiscent of expensive perfumes with vanilla notes, and it is not at all like the usual "petunia". Hybrid "Amore Mio Orange" will fill the air with a fragrance reminiscent of the smell of jasmine.
But the hybrid petunia "Evening Sensation" even won a prestigious award for a unique honey aroma with hints of hyacinth and rose.
Read more about the variety of petunias in the article How not to get confused in the varieties of petunias and choose the right one.
2. Sweet pea
The very name of this flower suggests the presence of a pleasant aroma, but not all varieties managed to keep it after the work of breeders to improve their appearance.
Sweet Pea "Old Spice Senator" is a beautiful and fragrant variety. © Lyudmila SvetlitskayaModern sweet pea has very beautiful wavy inflorescences, reminiscent of exquisite ruffles. In color, they are often two-tone with a very interesting dark coating on lighter petals. However, the most fragrant should be sought among simple and medium-sized flowers.
When choosing a variety, also note that perennial sweet peas (peas) are odorless. One of the few modern varieties that, despite its unusual appearance, has managed to retain its aroma, is peas "Old Spice Senator" .
Sweet peas are mainly used for decorating vertical surfaces. But among modern varieties, you can also find compact bush options for flower beds and flowerpots. In addition, this plant is also often used as a floristic material, since the inflorescences can stand in bouquets for up to two weeks.
3. Alyssum
This undersized annual forms a mat covered with medium-sized inflorescences, which are most often pure white or represent various shades of lilac palette. More recently, the color range of alyssum varieties has been supplemented with a new color - light pink with a peach tint Easter Bonnet Peach .
White alissum exudes the strongest aroma, its smell can be felt even at a distance Modern varieties of alissum have not only unusual shades of petals, but also larger flowers, which are about twice as large as the usual "folk" alissum. However, the hybrid alyssum is inferior to the latter in terms of aroma, and many new varieties are not so intense, and some are completely odorless.
In particular, the hybrid Wonderland deep purple with very expressive ink-colored buds does not smell at all. Therefore, the very strong honey aroma that instantly immerses us in summer and attracts many insects is worth looking for in old varieties.
It has been noticed that white alissum exudes the strongest aroma, its smell can be felt even at a distance. Lilac varieties smell weaker, and there are tart notes in their aroma.
4. Fragrant mignonette
This flower has a very original, but completely inexpressive appearance - a loose inflorescence of yellowish-green flowers. The main advantage of mignonette is a unique pleasant aroma.
The main advantage of mignonette is its unique pleasant aroma. © Allan ArmitageThe smell of the plant is slightly violet-like, but has a slightly bitter note, like that of wormwood. Sometimes the fragrance of mignonette is compared with an expensive French perfume.
The smell of mignonette is not strong, and it is felt only if you are in close proximity to the inflorescences.
But in many ways, this feature can be attributed to the pluses of the flower, since mignonette can be safely placed in the house, and even scented with a bouquet of flowers in the bedroom. Unlike such strong-smelling plants as lily or mock orange, this will not lead to any unpleasant consequences.
Mignonette is unpretentious in cultivation, and this annual can be used to break up too colorful flower beds, adding austerity and unusual aroma to them.
5. Heliotrope
This pretty annual is much loved by perfumers and is often used in perfumes, along with fragrance kings such as rose, jasmine and lily of the valley.
Heliotrope is much loved by perfumers and is often used to make perfumes. © Lyudmila SvetlitskayaBees and flocks of colorful butterflies will become obligatory visitors to the heliotrope curtain, so this bush will always be “alive” and interesting to observe.
Helitrope has dark purple corymbose inflorescences, consisting of medium-sized flowers, the main advantage of which is a strong honey-vanilla aroma.
This plant is unpretentious, and in temperate climates it is grown in seedlings as a heat-loving annual. For maximum effect, heliotrope is planted in groups. The landing site should be sunny or slightly shady. Heliotrope is also popular in container culture. In this case, it will be easy to bring it indoors for the winter, and with the onset of spring, propagate by cuttings.
Fragrant perennials
6. Tuberose (Polyantes tuberosa)
Today, not every flower grower is familiar with the name of this plant, but it was not always so. Previously, this exotic flower with a strong intoxicating aroma was incredibly popular in noble estates.
Due to its spectacular appearance and strong fragrance, tuberose is popular all over the world. © SZFSRB The mention of tuberose can be found in the works of Gorky, Kuprin, as well as in the poems of poets of that time. In particular, in Zhukovsky we find the following lines: "There are pearly lilies of the valley, There are rose bushes, Tulip, fragrant narcissus And tuberose - a pure Emblem of beauty.
"
Due to its spectacular appearance and strong fragrance, tuberose is popular all over the world. For example, in many countries of the East, the local name of the flower is translated as "the queen of aromas." In ancient times, in some countries, there was a ban on walking unmarried girls in places where tuberose was planted, as it was believed that its smell causes attraction and erotic fantasies. What is the smell of tuberose?
It is not easy to describe this fragrance, because it is very rich and multifaceted. You can catch notes of exotic fruits, ginger and oriental lilies in it, as well as creamy and honey notes in the aroma.
The smell of tuberose is very strong, tart and heady, and some may find it too intrusive. In this regard, tuberose has both ardent admirers and opponents. In any case, you can try to plant this plant in the garden and determine your attitude towards this controversial flower.
The most common planting material for sale is polyanthes The Pearl ( "Pearl" ), which is distinguished by double snow-white, waxy flowers, reaching a diameter of 5-6 centimeters.
In terms of agricultural technology, tuberose is a bit like gladiolus. Corms are planted for indoor sprouting around April. But for early flowering, you can plant much earlier. Corms germinate best in the dark. Plants are planted in open ground in mid-May.
Tuberose will grow in the sunniest spot in the garden. Special care, in addition to the standard, the plant will still require. Before the first autumn frosts, the polyanthes are dug up and stored in a room with a temperature of 10-15 degrees.
7. Lily
Depending on the class, lilies can have an incredibly strong fragrance or no fragrance at all. So, oriental , or oriental lilies are characterized by the strongest, sweet, dense and spicy aroma.
Lily "Bombini" - OT hybrids of lilies do not have such an intrusive and stuffy smell as oriental ones. © Lyudmila Svetlitskaya Not everyone will like this specific smell, and it is often perceived as “stuffy” and intrusive.
Longeflorums , or Longiflora lilies are also characterized by a pronounced fragrance that can be felt from tens of meters away. Tubular (Orleans) lilies smell not much weaker than Oriental and long-flowered, but have slightly different notes of fragrance.
Hybrids obtained with the participation of Oriental lilies have largely inherited the characteristics of the aroma and have a rather strong smell. LO-hybrids (the result of crossing longiflora and oriental lilies) exude a more delicate aroma compared to oriental varieties.
OT hybrids (a hybrid of oriental and tubular lilies) saturate the air with a moderately pronounced pleasant aroma. Asiatic Lilies are ideal for those who find the scent of a lily intrusive, as their buds are odorless. LA hybrids , which appeared as a result of crossing a type of long-flowered lilies with Asians, are distinguished by a subtle, delicate aroma.
A special group of lilies "Martagon" , or Curly lily has a perceptible smell, which is much inferior in intensity to oriental ones. In general, their aroma can be described as "sweet-tart", while, depending on the variety, Martagons can smell differently.
A lily in the garden and a bouquet of lilies indoors are completely different experiences. Even the most fragrant oriental lily, planted in the far corner of the garden, will not cause a feeling of stuffy cloying and intrusiveness. Therefore, if you are sensitive to smells, then too fragrant lilies should be planted in limited quantities and at a distance from places of rest.
Read more about growing lilies in the article Lilies - choosing a place and planting in the garden.
8. Rose
Rose is a godsend for a perfumer and one of the first plants that was used by humans to obtain essential oils. The most intense smell of roses becomes in the morning hours.
Roses that are at full bloom smell the most, as the purpose of the plant is to attract pollinating insects.
Rose fragrance can be described as sweetish, warm, delicate with a fruity note. When we say that something smells like a rose, then everyone can clearly imagine what kind of smell it is.
Most types and varieties of roses have a fragrance, but it is not always the classic pink. Very often there are roses with an unusual aroma, for example, lemon, hyacinth, banana, musk, violet, vanilla, and so on. Some varieties combine several unusual notes in their aroma at once.
As a percentage, only 20% of the roses have a strong fragrance, and 25% of the varieties are practically odorless, the rest of the varieties have an aroma of medium intensity. Therefore, if it is important for you to enjoy the aroma of a rose, then it is better to refuse a spontaneous purchase, and first study the characteristics of the variety you like.
As a rule, on specialized sites there is detailed information about each variety, including a description of the intensity and shades of smell. At the same time, both strongly smelling and devoid of aroma varieties can be found in any group of roses (shrub, flower bed, climbing).
The exception is the increasingly popular roses of the English breeder David Austin, who were purposefully selected according to the principle of the presence of aroma, so there are no completely odorless varieties in this series. Among Austin roses, you can find truly amazing shades of aroma, such as wormwood, clove, the smell of good tea or expensive soap.
9. Lavender
This plant smells not only of flowers, but also of leaves. The aroma of lavender is associated with the presence of a large amount of essential oils in the aerial part of the plant, which in turn are rich in phytoncides that have a specific aroma.
Lavender angustifolia winters very well with us without additional shelter.
© yearofcleanwater Phytoncides were originally produced by plants to repel insect pests, but man has learned to benefit from these substances by using fragrant plants for his own purposes. In particular, the smell of lavender is perceived by most people as very pleasant.
Therefore, in the southern regions, this flower is grown literally on an industrial scale due to the high demand for raw materials in the perfumery and cosmetics industry.
The smell of this plant is believed to improve mood, fight insomnia, eliminate fears and alleviate headaches. In addition to aromatherapy, lavender also has a purely practical use in the household, in particular, its aroma can repel mosquitoes and moths, and is used to disinfect rooms.
For a long time it was believed that lavender does not winter well in the middle lane. But it is not so. Lavender broadleaf is indeed a very heat-loving plant that can only be grown as an annual. But another type of lavender - narrow-leaved - winters very well without additional shelter.
Also used as an ornamental plant in gardens is a hybrid of two types of lavender called lavandin. This flower is more resistant to diseases and pests, and also has sufficient winter hardiness and winters well in our climate.
Open sunny places are suitable for lavender in the garden. This plant is drought-resistant and unpretentious. It is easy to grow from seeds or propagate by dividing the bush. Lavender flowers continue throughout the summer.
How to grow lavender in the garden, read the article 7 simple rules for gorgeous lavender.
10. Iris
The well recognizable scent of iris is very pleasant, popular among perfumers and extremely loved by women. Meanwhile, in addition to the classic aroma characteristic of the most common "grandmother's" purple irises, this flower has a rich palette of aromas.
Most purple varieties have a classic iris aroma. © Lyudmila Svetlitskaya For example, varieties with aromas of sweets are often found: vanilla, honey, caramel and even chocolate (grade Copatonic ).
Some varieties are distinguished by a floral smell, in which at the same time a slight bitterness or tart citrus notes are clearly felt.
As a rule, the smell of iris has a very complex composition, combining several components at once, and then the aroma can be described as flower-caramel or honey with bitterness, and so on.
The smell of each varietal iris is unique, and it does not always correlate with the color of the flower. For example, grades Copatonic and Stopthe Music have a very similar red-brown coloration. But in terms of smell, the first smells of chocolate, and the second is distinguished by a caramel-citrus smell.
However, it has also been observed that irises with a predominance of yellow shades of the petal most often have distinct lemon notes, and flowers with a dominant purple color smell classically, but there are also exceptions to this rule.
It is noteworthy that often the most interesting original notes appear in the aroma of iris in the first days after the opening of the bud, after which the smell can change to a classic iris.
In order for irises to please with their flowers with a magical aroma, they must be planted in sunny places, since the tuber roots must warm up well.
Other perennials with a strong pleasant aroma: lily of the valley, peony, carnation, phlox, violet, etc.
7 flowers that will create a unique fragrance in summer
Some flowers do not shine with special beauty, but the smell!
To enjoy the scent of flowers throughout the season, it is necessary to plant fragrant plants that bloom at different times.
1 Hyacinth. This is one of the earliest and most fragrant flowers. Do you remember who it is named after? In honor of one of the close associates of the ancient Greek Apollo, a young man of extraordinary beauty, who died tragically; the flower, as legends and myths say, was created by Apollo from his blood. Hyacinth has a delicate and very persistent smell, which is felt even at a distance. According to the timing of flowering, hyacinths are divided into early, middle and late.
Each of these species begins to bloom with a difference of about 10 days. The first hyacinths appear already in late April - early May. Blue varieties bloom first, then pink, white, red, lilac, and last - orange and yellow. Flowering time - from 7 to 25 days.
Hyacinths need well-drained soil and full sun. When the flowers depart and the leaves dry up, you need to dig up the bulbs, dry them and store them in a well-ventilated area until autumn planting.
2 Phlox. Blossom in May. Unpretentious, diverse in color, tolerate winter well. Phloxes are annual and perennial, tall and creeping, but all of them are united by one property - violent flowering.
If you plant varieties of perennial phloxes of different flowering periods in the garden, you can admire the plants all summer long.
Their aroma is perhaps too strong for indoors (if you put a bouquet of phloxes in a vase in a poorly ventilated room, the smell will be thick and suffocating), but in the garden it acquires lightness and a peculiar charm.
In one place, phloxes can grow for quite a long time - 5 or more years. Abundant watering is one of the main requirements for the successful growth of these plants. Even in places with a close occurrence of groundwater during a long drought, phloxes suffer greatly from drying out. The second most important condition for growing different types of phlox is high soil fertility.
3 Lilies. Favorites among fragrant lilies are the famous Oriental hybrids - luxurious, fragrant and huge. Some varieties of these lilies have flowers up to 30 centimeters in diameter, others are not so huge - 23-25 centimeters, although they are the size of a large plate.
With a few tricks, they are easy to grow in the garden. Oriental hybrids do not do well in "tired" soils already used for other horticultural crops. They need fresh soil. An earthen mixture of approximately the following composition is well suited for lilies: 1 part fresh peat, 1 part sand, 1-2 parts coniferous litter.
It is possible to grow Oriental lily hybrids in one coniferous litter mixed with sand. The results will be amazing. By the way, keep in mind that these lilies do not tolerate the presence of ash.
Now the "heirs" of Eastern hybrids - OT-hybrids, accustomed to our climate, are gaining more and more popularity. Like phloxes, the smell of lilies is too strong for indoors. But in the garden it is a real pleasure.
4 Sweet peas. This plant is valued for touching flowers and delicate smell. The word "fragrant" was not in vain included in its name - "latyrus odoratus" (this is the name of peas in Latin) 300 years ago, a Sicilian monk was discovered walking along the walls of the monastery and stopped by an unusually strong aroma. As an annual plant, peas are almost ideal for those amateur gardeners who like frequent changes in the garden. A huge number of inflorescences are formed on one plant, and therefore peas are widely used to decorate fences, fences, terraces, walls of houses, arbors, etc.
Unlike many other annual vines, which, when planted in oily soil, grow "tops" and do not bloom, peas bloom beautifully in such soil. Prefers well-lit and wind-sheltered areas.
5 Mattiola. She grew up in the gardens of our grandmothers. And since then, it has been loved for the unusually pleasant aroma that fills the garden in the evening and at night. For this plant is also called the night violet.
This annual grows well in sunny places, does not tolerate waterlogging, but it does not like prolonged drought. Needs regular feeding. The soil for growing matthiola must be fertile.
Night violet blooms from June, about a month and a half. To increase the flowering period, the seeds are sown at different times. Since matthiola flowers are modest, it is advisable to sow this fragrant annual plant along with other annual plants that have more beautiful flowers, but are odorless.
6 Levkoy. This is the closest relative of Matthiola. It also has a very pleasant smell.
Levkoy are simple and large-flowered with double flowers collected in racemose inflorescences. Terry levkoy are especially good.
Light-loving and cold-resistant, levkoy grow well in windless sunny areas. They require fertile neutral loamy soils, well seasoned with mineral and organic fertilizers, with the exception of fresh manure.
Levkoy is grown in flowerbeds, in flowerbeds, in group plantings. They are combined in height, color, and flowering time: early, middle and late
Levkoi grown by seedlings bloom in June. When sowing seeds in the ground in May, flowering begins only in August.
7 Chrysanthemum. Coming to us from the Far East, known to man since antiquity, it becomes the queen's garden at the end of summer, filling the air with a honey aroma. In fact, this is the last magnificent autumn flower, pleasing with a variety of colors - chrysanthemums are white, greenish, pink, raspberry, burgundy, yellow, red, copper - and spicy smells before the onset of winter.
Fragrant varieties of Korean small-flowered terry chrysanthemums are especially good in this regard. No wonder growing chrysanthemums of different colors and presenting them as a gift has become a real ritual in Korea and Japan.
Flowers tolerate transplanting well, are unpretentious, do not require special care, just do not forget to wrap them well for the winter period or dig them up and take them home to insulated loggias for wintering. In order for small-flowered chrysanthemums to decorate the garden for as long as possible, it is necessary to pinch the top of all shoots, only then will you get a well-formed dense abundantly flowering bush).
Green window sill
Potted resort
In summer, many indoor plants feel quite comfortable on the loggia or on the balcony, especially subtropical and desert species. They also need a vacation, and balcony conditions are close to open ground conditions.
If the balcony faces the sunny side, and the days are hot, you need to water the plants daily.
The wind also speeds up the evaporation of water, so in windy weather, watering should be even more frequent. For the same reason, flowers growing on the upper floors of the house are watered more often: an earthen ball on the seventh floor can sometimes dry out twice as fast as on the first floor, all other things being equal.
The upper floors of high-rise buildings (starting from the ninth and above) are not suitable for growing all flowers: as a rule, there is a stronger wind that can break too tender stems (for example, selaginella, tillandsia) and easily overdry the soil.
But asparagus, ivy, chlorophytum will feel great and at their best - both on a shady balcony and on a loggia. But it is undesirable to keep them on the south side of the house, they do not like direct sunlight. If you want to send such views to the balcony, be sure to arrange shading for them.
For balconies located on the south, southwest and southeast sides, you need to select sun-loving, drought-resistant plants.
