Top 7 Fragrant Plants for Your Garden

02-09-2024

Nothing enhances the charm of your garden or balcony quite like the pleasing aroma of blooming plants. As summer unfolds, it's an ideal time to immerse yourself in the outdoors. With sunshine, vibrant blooms, and the gentle buzz of bees, nature is rejuvenating. By incorporating fragrant plants into your garden, patio, or balcony, you can transform your space into a tranquil haven.

Some plants release their fragrance when touched, while others infuse the air with their scent all day or offer a captivating aroma in the evening. These aromatic plants are widely available at local garden centers and nurseries.

Fragrant Plants for Your Garden

Incorporating the scents of roses, lavender, or geraniums can elevate both the visual appeal and fragrance of your garden. Not only will your garden look stunning, but it will also be filled with pleasant aromas. Our garden center in Winterswijk features a variety of aromatic plants. You may recognize some, while others might be exciting new additions. Come visit us to discover our top 7 fragrant garden plants.

1. Roses

Modern roses are renowned for their long blooming seasons and disease resistance, though they sometimes lack the classic rose scent. Thankfully, many garden centers offer traditional roses that can fill your garden with their rich fragrance. Look for:

• Hybrid French Roses (Rosa gallica), including musk roses (Rosa moschata) and Japanese rugosa roses (Rosa rugosa).
• Gallica Roses, such as the apothecary's rose Rosa Gallica 'Versicolor', known for its June blooms and delightful scent.
• Musk Roses, available in shrub or climbing varieties, recognized for their repeat blooming.
• Japanese Rugosa Roses, hardy shrubs with a single blooming season.

2. Lavender

Lavender's scent evokes warm summer days and distant journeys. Ideal for pots on your patio or as a low hedge by the entrance, its fragrance is released when you brush against the plant. Lavender's grey-green leaves persist through winter, and you can dry its flowers for sachets or culinary use. It flourishes in sunny, dry conditions.

3. Scented Geranium (Pelargonium)

Like lavender, scented geraniums release their aroma when their leaves are touched. Simply rub a leaf between your fingers to enjoy its fragrance. Popular varieties include:

• Lemon Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens or crispum), with a lemon scent and purple flowers.
• Pelargonium 'Roses of Attar', known for its rose-like fragrance and pink flowers.
• Pelargonium odoratissimum, offering an 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)

The leaves of anise hyssop have a distinctive anise scent. This perennial blooms for an extended period with small lilac or white flowers, attracting butterflies and bees. It is quite hardy and thrives in both pots and garden beds. Place it in a sunny spot for best results.

5. Lilac

The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) can grow into a shrub up to five meters tall. Dwarf varieties (Syringa patula) remain smaller, and there are also lilacs grown as standard trees. Blooming in May and June, they fill the air with their enchanting fragrance. They thrive in sunny or lightly shaded areas, and lilac branches make lovely cut flowers for vases with floral food.

6. Honeysuckle (Lonicera)

Honeysuckle is an attractive climbing plant that releases a sweet fragrance in the evening. Its flowers, available in various colors, attract bees and butterflies, making it a great addition to a pollinator-friendly garden. It thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soil and can grow in full sun or partial shade.

7. Sweet Rocket (Hesperis matronalis)

Although not as commonly known, Sweet Rocket adds a unique touch to your garden. This perennial blooms from May to September with white, pink, or lilac flowers that release a stronger scent at night. It grows up to about 80 centimeters tall and prefers a moist, partially shaded location.

Local garden centers and nurseries offer a diverse selection of fragrant plants. Enrich your garden or balcony with these delightful varieties. Whether you're drawn to fresh roses or spicy lavender, you're sure to find a favorite. Visit your local garden center to explore and discover the ideal aromatic plants for your space.