The Top 7 Aromatic Garden Plants

Is there anything more delightful than the fresh aroma of blooming flowers in your garden or on your balcony? With summer just around the corner, it's the perfect time to dive into outdoor living. From the warmth of the sun to the vibrant hues of blossoms and the gentle hum of bees, nature is coming back to life. By adding fragrant plants to your garden, patio, or balcony, you can create your own peaceful retreat at home.

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

Aromatic Garden Plants

The scent of roses, lavender, or geraniums can bring a whole new sensory experience to your garden. Not only will it be visually stunning, but it will also smell incredible. Our garden center in Winterswijk offers a vast selection of fragrant plants. Some might already be familiar to you, while others could be new finds. Stop by and explore our top 7 aromatic garden plants.

1. Roses

While many modern roses are bred for their extended bloom periods and disease resistance, they sometimes lack that classic rose scent. Luckily, many garden centers still carry traditional roses that will fill your garden with their timeless fragrance. You can find various types at local garden centers and nurseries:

• 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', which blooms in June with a delightful scent.
• Musk Roses, known for their repeat blooming, available as shrubs or climbing varieties.
• Japanese Rugosa Roses, resilient shrubs that bloom once.

2. Lavender

The fragrance of lavender often brings back memories of warm summers and distant vacations. Lavender is perfect for growing in pots on the patio or as a low hedge near the entrance. Its scent is released when touched, and the plant retains its grey-green foliage throughout winter. The flowers can also be dried for use in scented sachets or as a flavoring in the kitchen. Lavender thrives in sunny, dry locations.

3. Scented Geranium (Pelargonium)

Similar to lavender, scented geraniums release their fragrance when touched. Just rub a leaf between your fingers and enjoy the aroma. Here are a few popular varieties:

• Lemon Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens or crispum), which has a citrusy scent and blooms with purple flowers.
• Pelargonium 'Roses of Attar', offering a rose fragrance and pink blossoms.
• Pelargonium odoratissimum, known for its apple scent and small white flowers.
• 'Chocolate Peppermint', with a peppermint aroma and mauve flowers with chocolate-brown leaf markings.

These geraniums are perfect for planting in pots on your balcony or patio.

4. Anise Hyssop (Agastache)

Anise hyssop has leaves that give off an anise-like scent when touched, giving the plant its name. This perennial blooms with small lilac or white flowers over an extended period and attracts both butterflies and bees. It is moderately hardy and grows well in both pots and garden beds. Plant it in a sunny spot.

5. Lilac

The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) can grow into a shrub up to five meters tall. There are also smaller varieties (Syringa patula) and those trained as standard trees. Lilacs bloom in May and June, filling the air with their captivating scent. They thrive in sunny or lightly shaded locations. Flowering branches make excellent cut flowers when placed in a vase with floral food.

6. Honeysuckle (Lonicera)

Honeysuckle is a stunning climber that releases its sweet fragrance in the evening. The flowers, available in various colors, attract bees and butterflies, making it a great 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 might be less known, but it certainly makes an impact in the garden. This perennial blooms from May to September with white, pink, or lilac flowers that emit an even stronger fragrance at night. It grows to about 80 centimeters tall and prefers a moist, partially shaded spot.

Local garden centers and nurseries offer a wide array of fragrant plants. Give your garden or balcony an extra sensory dimension with these aromatic selections. From fresh roses to spicy lavender, there's something for everyone. Visit your local garden center to smell, explore, and find your favorite fragrant plants.