The Best Flowers to Plant for a Garden That Smells INCREDIBLE (2024)

Few things rival the allure of flowers that smell good when it comes to enhancing the atmosphere of your garden or home. Their scents can spark nostalgia, conjure an air of romance, and promote relaxation. By incorporating any of them into your backyard, you’ll create an olfactory experience that captivates the senses and adds a dash of elegance to your environment.

These best-smelling flowers encompass all types from full-sun and shade lovers to annual and perennial plants. Some grow on trees while others bloom from the ground. Their scents range from sweet, spicy, heady, and herbaceous. If you love fragrance, you'll find a flower to love here. From the classic sweetness of roses to the irresistible smell of plumeria, these 25 best-smelling flowers offer a full spectrum of beguiling scents.

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Known for its perfume-like fragrance, jasmine flowers, particularly Arabian jasmine (Jasminum sambac) and Spanish jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum) have a sweet, heady aroma that’s incredibly romantic.

Gardenias are beloved for their creamy white blooms and intense, sweet fragrance that resembles a mix of jasmine and vanilla. The scent of this best-smelling flower can fill a room with its captivating aroma, making it a favorite for indoor spaces.

The lilac's sweet, floral scent evokes springtime and fresh air. Syringa vulgaris has clusters of small, delicate flowers with a fragrance that is both fresh and slightly powdery, making it a perennial favorite for gardens.

With its clean, calming scent, lavender is often used in aromatherapy and cooking. This best-smelling flower offers a soothing, herbaceous fragrance that is at once floral and slightly woody, helping to promote a serene and relaxing atmosphere.

The tuberose’s fragrance is intoxicatingly sweet and rich, often described as a blend of jasmine and orange blossom. Polianthes tuberosa blooms produce a powerful scent that is commonly used in high-end perfumes.

Plumeria, or frangipani, is known for its tropical, sweet scent. Red plumeria (Plumeria rubra) has a rich, exotic aroma with hints of vanilla and spice, making it a popular choice in tropical-themed gardens.

Orchids offer a wide range of fragrances, from the sweet and fruity scent of Cattleya orchids to the spicy aroma of Oncidium orchids. Phalaenopsis orchids, in particular, have a subtle, delicate fragrance that enhances their exotic beauty.

The daphne’s scent is rich and sweet with notes of citrus and spice. Winter daphne (Daphne odora), as its name suggests, blooms in the wintertime, filling the air with its heady fragrance and brightening up chilly days.

Magnolias are known for their bold, sweet, creamy fragrance that includes notes of vanilla and citrus. This best-smelling flower produces large, white blooms that perfume the air with a scent that is simultaneously fresh and spicy.

Lily of the valley, or Convallaria majalis, is cherished for its delicate, sweet fragrance that is reminiscent of spring rain and pure freshness. This tiny, bell-shaped flower offers a subtle yet enchanting perfume.

The sweet pea’s scent is light and floral with hints of honey and spice. Lathyrus odoratus produces vibrant, fragrant blooms that are perfect for adding an enchanting aroma to your garden or home.

The hibiscus, particularly Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), has a sweet, floral fragrance with a hint of citrus. This best-smelling flower not only adds visual appeal but also fills the air with a tropical aroma.

Freesias are prized for their sweet, citrusy fragrance that is both fresh and floral. Freesia x hybrida blooms in various colors, each emitting a pleasant scent that enhances any floral arrangement.

Clematis, such as evergreen clematis (Clematis armandii), has a subtle, sweet fragrance with hints of vanilla and citrus. Its large, showy flowers add both beauty and a gentle scent to gardens and trellises.

Chamomile flowers, particularly German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), offer a mild, apple-like fragrance. This soothing aroma is often used in herbal teas and has calming properties.

Dahlias, such as the garden dahlia (Dahlia pinnata), provide a sweet, fruity scent that complements their vibrant, multicolored blooms. Their aroma is subtle but adds a pleasant note to floral arrangements.