Plants for Producing Fragrant Flowers Container Displays (Bringing Scent to the Garden)

Rose Bush
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In this article, plants for producing fragrant flowers in containers will be highlighted. In the garden, scent is often very important, as we often feel uplifted and more contented, when our olfactory glands are exposed to beautiful smells.

The plants will guarantee to attract visitors to the garden especially wildlife. Scented flowers always add a new dimension to the container garden as not only form and colour is introduced, but also a beautiful new dimension of scent.

Rose Bush
Rose bush provides a delicate scent

It is best to situate scented plants close to a seated area, bear front doors, on both sides of a garden path so that people can enjoy the scent that they produce. With paths, it is best to use plants that once brushed past will release their scents, such as lavender, rosemary or scented leave pelargoniums.

Do not plant very strong scented flowers such as regal lilies near eating areas, as the scent may be too strong for these areas. Strong smelling flowers will most certainly put you off your food.

You can have scent plants throughout the year, from roses that bloom in early autumn to Mahonia that give their pleasant smells in winter. There are vast arrays of spring and summer plants that will give scent throughout these seasons.

The following plants are recommended to grow in containers to not only provide colour but also, more importantly, will provide the extra dimension of scent.

AGASTACHE (Giant Hyssop) ‘Tangerine Dreams’

Agastache rupestre
Agastache rupestre

This 60cm tall tender perennial has grey-green, minty aniseed-scented leaves. In summer to autumn long-lasting spikes of small, tubular pale orange blooms that are nectar-rich appear. To make additional plants for next year, you can overwinter the plants by taking cuttings and storing them in a conservatory or greenhouse.

They prefer to be grown in a multipurpose compost in full sun.


ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA-URSI (Bearberry)

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

This trailing, evergreen shrub has glossy, oval green leaves that are silver on the back. In late spring to early summer, small, urn-shaped pink or white, fragrant flowers appear, followed by red berries. Grow this 10cm tall shrub in ericaceous compost in full sun or partial shade.

CHOISYA TERNATA (Mexican Orange Blossom)

Choisya ternata
Choisya ternata

This rounded evergreen shrub has aromatic glossy, oval green leaves. In late spring and once again in early autumn, white sweet smelling flower clusters appear. These shrubs prefer to be grown in full sun or partial shade in a soil-based compost, where it will grow up to 2.5m in height.

CLEMATIS RECTA

Clematis recta
Clematis recta

This perennial climber can be used to scramble over shrubs. In summer to early autumn, a large number of fragrant, white flowers appear above green, oval leaves. The followers are followed by fluffy seed heads. Look out for Clematis ‘Purpurea’ which has purple-copper young leaves. Grow in a large container of multipurpose compost in partial shade, where it will grow up to 2m in height. Clematis ‘Montana’ is a good alternative.

CLETHRA ALNIFOLIA (Sweet Pepper Bush)

Clethra alnifolia
Clethra alnifolia

This medium size shrub has serrated green leaves that turn yellow in autumn In late summer brush-like spikes of tiny, white bells that have a rich floral scent appear. Plant in a moisture retentive soil-based compost in partial shade, where it will grow up to 2.5m in height.

COSMOS ATROSANGUINEUS (Chocolate Cosmos)

Cosmos atrosanguineus
Cosmos atrosanguineus

For the chocolate lovers amongst us, this is a plant for you. This tender perennial has marooned coloured dish-shaped blooms that appear on slender stems in late summer to early autumn. The blooms that appear are chocolate scented and appear amongst feathery green leaves. Grow in pots of multipurpose compost in full sun where it will grow up to 60cm in height.

CRINUM x POWELLII ‘Album’

Crinum x powellii
Crinum x powellii

This perennial bulb has arching, strap-shaped green leaves. In late summer to autumn on erect stems, large, white funnel-shaped, richly perfumed flowers appear. Protect the plants in cold areas, where it will grow up to 1m in height. Plant in multipurpose compost in full sun.

DAPHNE BHOLUA (Nepalese Paper Plant)

Daphne bholua
Daphne bholua

This tall evergreen shrub has oval, dark green leaves that in late winter clusters of very sweetly fragrant, pinkish-purple, white flowers appear. Grow this 3m tall perennial in a soil-based compost in full sun or partial shade.

DAPHNE x BURKWOODII

Daphne x burkwoodii
Daphne x burkwoodii

This 60cm tall semi-evergreen shrub with small, green leaves are noted for their highly fragrant pink blooms that appear in spring. These are followed by red fruits. Plant in a soil-based compost in full sun or partial shade.

DEUTZIA GRACILIS

Deutzia gracilis
Deutzia gracilis

This small deciduous, upright shrub, has small, bright green leaves. In late spring to early summer, clusters of starry, white flowers appear en masse that produces a divine smell.

This 1m tall shrub prefers to be grown in a soil-based compost in full sun. Look out for Deutzia Odorata as an alternative.

DIANTHUS BARBATUS (Sweet William)

Dainthus Barbatus
Dianthus Barbatus

This bushy, upright biennial, is a mainstay of any container garden. It has lance-shaped green leaves, where domed heads of sweetly scented, pink, red, burgundy, white or bicoloured blooms appear in early summer. Grow in a pot of multipurpose compost in full sun.

DIANTHUS CARYOPHYLLUS (Border Coronation)

Dianthus caryophyllus
Dianthus caryophyllus

This traditional perennial ideal for cutting has narrow grey-green leaves, from which tall, slender stems are produced. The stems are topped with heavenly scented pink, white, red, orange or yellow appear. Usually grows up to 80cm in height, but dwarf varieties are available. Prefers to be grown in multipurpose compost in full sun.

DIANTHUS (Garden Pink) ‘Dad’s Favourite’

Dianthus 'Dad's Favourite'
Dianthus ‘Dad’s Favourite’

This 40cm tall dwarf evergreen perennial has short, grey-green, grassy-like leaves. This is followed by a succession of semi-double white flowers with maroon markings appear in summer. The plant has a rich clove-like scent when planted in multipurpose compost in full sun. Look out for Dianthus ‘Mystic Star’ as a good alternative.

EDGEWORTHIA CHRYANTHA (Paper Bush)

Edgeworthia chrysantha
Edgeworthia chrysantha

The paper bush has numerous rounded clusters of yellow blooms that are silky to the touch when in bud, giving a stunning display. From late winter to early spring these blooms are produced that have a spicy clove-like scent, Grow this shrub in a sheltered position in a large pot of soil-based compost, where it will grow up to 1.5 in height.


ERYSIMUM CHEIRI (Wallflower)

Erysimum chieri
Erysimum chieri

This favourite biennial, often planted in autumn, produces heads of bright yellow, orange, red, or pink blooms in mid-spring. The blooms are so divinely scented that it is not to be missed in the garden. Plant in a soil-based compost, where it will grow up to 30cm in height. Readily self-seeds.

HELITROPIUM ARBORESCENS ‘Cherry Pie’

Heliotropium arborescens
Heliotropium arborescens

This small 45cm tall evergreen shrub, which is often grown as an annual, has stems of oval, dark green, crinkly leaves. This bushy shrub produces clusters or purple or white vanilla scented bloom s all summer long. Grow in a soil-based compost in partial shade.

HYACINTHUS ORIENTALIS (Hyacinth)

Hyacinthus orientalis
Hyacinthus orientalis

No container garden will be complete without this spring flowering bulb. In early spring broad spikes of heavily fragrant, bell-shaped flowers in colour of blue, purple, pink, red, orange, yellow or white are produced. This 25cm tall bulb prefers to be grown in multipurpose compost in full sun or partial shade.

LATHYRUS ODORATUS (Sweet Pea)

Lathyrus odoratus
Lathyrus odoratus

This annual climber, which is familiar to everyone, has oval leaves and richly perfumed flowers in shades of pink, blue, purple or white. They appear from summer to early autumn. To promote flowering pick seed pods and dispose of. Grow this 3m tall plant in multipurpose compost in full sun or partial shade. Look out for ‘Old-fashioned. As a variety for a stronger scent.

LAVANDULA AUGUSTIFOLIA (English Lavender)

Lavandula augustiflora
Lavandula augustiflora

This firm favourite can be relied on to give scent throughout the year but especially so in summer. This evergreen shrub has narrow, aromatic silvery-green leaves. In late summer spikes of fragrant, blue-purple, pink or white flowers appear. It grows up to 60cm in height when planted in gritty soil-based compost in full sun.

LILIUM (Oriental Lily) ‘Red Hot’

Lilium
Lilium ‘Red Hot’

This 1m tall bulb perennial produces arching stems that have slender green leaves. On top of the stems, blooms that are red and white-edged appear in summer. The exotic perfume of the blooms is unmistakable. Plant this bulb in a multipurpose compost in full sun. Look for alternatives such as Lilium ‘Casablanca’, Lilium ‘Tiger Woods’ or Lilium ‘Pink Perfection’.

LILIUM REGALE (Regal Lily)

Lilium regal
Lilium regale

This classic produces several large, white trumpet blooms on top of upright stems. In summer the richly perfumed flowers have yellow centres and pinkish outer petals. Stake this 2m tall plant that prefers to be grown in a multipurpose compost in full sun.

MAHONIA JAPONICA (Japanese Mahonia)

Mahonia japonica
Mahonia japonica

This 2m tall evergreen shrub with prickly edge glossy, green leaves that become purple-tinged, are a mainstay in any scented container garden. In winter to early spring, drooping, pale yellow flowers appear that fill the air with a rich honey scent. Grow in partial or total shade in soil-based compost.

MATTIHIOLA INCANA (Stock)

Matthiola incana
Matthiola incana

This half-hardy annual has grey-green leaves, from which large flower heads appear. From late spring to summer. This will fill pots of the plant with a clove-like scent, as long as it is planted in a multipurpose compost in full sun. The flowers come in white, pink, or red, where they will grow up to 25cm in height.

NARCISSUS (Daffodil) ‘February Gold’

Narcissus 'February Gold'
Narcissus ‘February Gold’

This early variety is one of the first daffodils to flower in spring. It bears rich yellow flowers with a sweet scent. Plant in groups in large containers of multipurpose compost in full sun or partial shade, where it will grow up to 30cm in height.

NARCISSUS (Jonquii Pipit) ‘Pipit’

Narcissus 'Pipit'
Narcissus ‘Pipit’

In mid-spring, multiheaded flower appears that are lemon yellow and has cream upper petals. It is noted for their powerful perfume, and are perfect in pots of multipurpose compost in full sun or partial shade near front doors. In ideal growing conditions, it will grow up to 27cm in height.

NICOTIANA (Tobacco Flower) ‘Lime Green’

Nicotiana
Nicotiana ‘Lime Green’

This upright annual has spoon-shaped leaves that are sticky to the touch. In late summer and autumn, trumpet-shaped, greenish-yellow flowers appear, that is lightly scented. They will grow up to 60cm tall when planted in multipurpose compost in light shade.

NICOTIANA SYLVESTRIS (Flowering Tobacco)

Nicotiana sylvestris
Nicotiana sylvestris

This perennial, often grown as an annual, has large green sticky leaves, which from tall stems appear that are topped with plenty of tubular, white flowers with flared ends. This perennial will grow up to 1.1m in height when planted in multipurpose compost in partial shade. The scent is slight but divine in nature.

OENOTHERA BIENNIS (Evening Primrose)

Oenothera biennis
Oenothera biennis

This biennial that produces leaves in the first year is followed by flowering spikes the following summer. These 1.5m tall spikes produce yellow, bowl-shaped, lemon-scented blooms that open during the evening. Grow in a large container of multipurpose compost in full sun.

PETUNIA ‘Prism Series’

Petunia 'Prism Series'
Petunia ‘Prism Series’

This compact perennial, often grown as an annual, produces large trumpet-shaped blooms all summer long. They come in numerous colours and are suitable to be planted in hanging baskets, window boxes, or pots near doorways. The sweet scent is more noticeable in the evening, where it will grow up to 35cm in height when planted in multipurpose compost in full sun.

ROSA (Rose) ‘Buff Beauty’

Rosa' Buff Beauty'
Rosa’ Buff Beauty’

What would be a container garden be without the humble rose? This beautiful musk rose is a quick grower. It has long, arching stems of glossy, green leaves, and clusters of small, apricot-yellow, semi-double blooms. The heavenly scent adds welcome fragrance during the summer months and early autumn. This 1.2m bushy shrub likes to be grown in an enriched multipurpose compost in full sun.

ROSA (Rose) ‘Getrude Jekyll’

Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'
Rosa ‘Gertrude Jekyll’

This 2m tall rose is a short climber that has richly performed, fully double mid-pink blooms. They appear from summer to early autumn where it can be grown against a wall near your front door. Grow in a large pot of enriched multipurpose compost in full sun.

SARCOCCA CONFUSA (Sweet Box)

Sarcococca confusa
Sarcococca confusa

This bushy evergreen shrub has dark green, glossy, lance-shaped leaves. It is grown for its fragrant tiny, white flowers that appear in winter. Grow this 1m tall shrub in a moisture retentive soil-based compost in partial or total shade, where it will grow up to 1m in height. Ideal for a north facing doorway.

SARCOCCA HOOKERIANA Var DIGYNA (Sweet Box)

Sarcocca hookeriana
Sarcocca hookeriana

This evergreen, clump-forming shrub has narrow, green, lance-shaped leaves. In winter, tiny fragrant white flowers appear. Ideal for doorways, where this 1.5m tall shrub prefers to be grown in a soil-based compost in full sun or partial shade.

SYRINGA MEYERI (Lilac) ‘Palibin’

Syringa meyeri 'Palibin'
Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’

This dwarf lilac is a slow growing, deciduous bush. In late spring and early summer heads of fragrant pink flowers appear that will bless any container garden. Plant this elegant shrub near doorways in a soil-based compost in full sun.

VIBURNUM x BODNANTENSE

Viburnum bodnantense
Viburnum bodnantense

A deciduous, upright shrub that produces pink-white blooms in rounded clusters along bare branches. Its leaves are oval green in shape. The sweet, almond-scented blooms are produced from late autumn to early spring. Grow this 3m tall shrub in a large container full of soil-based compost in full sun or partial shade.


VIBURNUM CARLESII

Viburnum carlesii
Viburnum carlesii

This deciduous shrub produces doomed heads of pink buds that appear in late spring. The flower buds open to reveal white, trumpet-shaped flowers that are so sweet smelling. The flowers are followed by red and black berries in autumn. Plant this 2m tall shrub in a large container filled with soil-based compost in full sun.

VIOLA ODORATA (Sweet Viola)

Viola odorata
Viola odorata

This 30cm long creeping semi-evergreen perennial has heart-shaped leaves. In late winter to early spring, violet or white flowers will appear that has a delicate scent. Plant in pots, window boxes or hanging baskets in partial shade or full sun.

VIOLA x WITTROCKIANA (Pansy)

Viola x wittrockiana
Viola x wittrockiana

These perennials, often used as an annual, can flower in autumn/winter or in spring /summer. This is dependent on the variety used and when it was planted. They produce flowers of many shades and colours that have a sweet scent. Plant in groups in pots, window boxes or hanging baskets full of multipurpose compost in full sun or partial shade, where it grows up to 20cm tall.

CONCLUSIONS

In this article, plants that will provide fragrant flowers to your container garden has been discussed. As you can see that there are numerous plants that can be used, and this is only scratching the surface.

They not only produce fragrant flowers but are also appeasing to the eyes. They come in different forms, heights and cover all the seasons.

Why do you not grow a fragrant plant today?

If you have a question that you wish to make or a comment that you need to raise, please do so below.

This rose has no thorns.

 

24 thoughts on “Plants for Producing Fragrant Flowers Container Displays (Bringing Scent to the Garden)”

  1. Hi, you have pulled together a beautiful collection of flowers! I’d like to put together a couple of containers of flowers for my deck (it gets full sun for a few hours a day). I’ve got a handful of herbs that do really well in their own separate pots, but with the flowers, I’d like to combine them and see a variety of colors and heights and complimentary scents. 

    I’ve heard that because different plants have different preferred pH levels for best results, that this should be considered when planting things together. Do you have any recommendations for the above flowers that work particularly well together in one container?

    Many thanks!

    1. Hi Aly

      For colour you cannot go wrong with bulbs such as the scented daffodils, along with the violas that will look stunning. The other plants are bit too big to be planted mixed in the containers, and do used as a sole specimen. Do not forget you can mix your containers and move them about, so that you can different colours and forms that way.

      Thankd

      Antonio

  2. Interesting site.  I love to plant flowers but don’t have a green thumb.  I find your article interesting because of the vast variety of flowers you recommend.  
    One of the things I have run into in planting flowers is that some seem not to get along with other varieties.  If I plant them together they just don’t seem to grow.

    Would like some help with which ones to choose that grow easily. Since I sometimes plant and either where I put them is not good or something just doesn’t work out; that lack of a green thumb thing.

    Overall I found so much information on your site that I will have to do some more reading.  Thank you for being so through.  I love to plant things but it seems like I need to learn more about planting and growing in order to be more successful at it.

    Ray

    1. Hi Ray

      With gardening it takes practice and patience, you cannot have one without the other. Most gardeners fail as they care too eager to do things when they are meant not to be done. Plant too early, plant too close, do not feed plants etc. To get more confidence try growing easy plants like pot marigold, snapdragons and bulbs.

      Thank you

      Antonio

  3. Hello,

    nice collection of flowers. Those purple roses looks great. However, I’ve got just a little garden on my terrace (1x3m), And I’ve got some flowers over there. Reading your article, i’m very interested in VIOLA x WITTROCKIANA plant.. And today i’m going to a shop to see if they have some to plant.

    1. Hi Petar

      Thank you I am gl;ad that I have motivated you to go shopping for plants.

      Kind Regards

      Antonio

  4. They all look wonderful! I would totally tell this to my mom, she has recently been getting her feet wet in gardening and flower arrangement. 

    Although she was struggling a bit since she does not know much and there aren’t many people that know about this kind of stuff in the local community so we have been looking for resources and references on the Internet. Good thing I stumble upon this, fortunately.

    Excited to here out what mom thinks about and what kind of plants will she be picking from your recommendations, we might even canvass the flowers in the following days to come.

    Good job!

    1. Hi Rizza

      Thank you very much for that and give my regards to your mother, who will get a lot from this article, along with my website that will give to you all the pointers relevant to container gardening.

      Kind Regards

      Antonio

  5. Hi! Great article! Your knowledge of different plants and their sun/shade exposer is impressive! I enjoyed reading your article. I have always loved walking through gardens and seeing all the beautiful flowers! I will most definitely stop and smell the roses every chance I get! I do have a couple questions, my home does not get a lot of inside sun exposer so I was wondering if you could help me find the best plant for inside my home? Are there any plant types I should stay away from due to my cats or dogs?

    Thanks!

    1. Hi Manique

      I am writing an article on houseplants with flowers and some of them have a beautiful scent, which will be published very soon.  Most houseplants are okay for dogs, as long as it is not Lilium.  Just to be safe keep them away from animals so that they will not be tempted to eat them.  Out of sight out of mind type of thing.

      Kind Regards

      Antonio

  6. A most comprehensive listing of the enormous number of fragrant plants that are available today, whilst I am familiar with most of them there are one or two that  are new to me, which is always nice to discover.

    Thought that in general this well written article should attract those who wish to have some heavenly scents in the garden, as stated it is mainly in the evening, I like nothing better to walk round my garden after my evening meal to take in the wafting aroma of the different plants which I have.

    Many thanks for a useful and helpful article.

    Stuart

    1. Hi Stuart

      Thank you very much for those kind words,  Who does not like to be bombarded with heavenly scents whilst walking around their garden in the evening and I do appreciate that there is nothing like this.

      Kind Regards

      Antonio

  7. I am happy to find another post for my wife, she loves everything that has to do with gardens, and I am eager to show her this.

    Normally our garden is under restoration, since we want to modify many things, and she had mentioned some flowers that generate a good smell, and apparently you have given us a quite favorable list to take into consideration.

    Thanks and regards!

    1. Hi Emmanuel

      Thank you for the comment, as it is very much appreciated when you pop by.

      Thanks

      Antonio  

  8. Hello,

    I am also a fellow gardener! Although maybe not the greatest of one but I try.In your article you mention a fragrant flowe called Mahonia. I have never heard of it. Can you tell me what it is? Do you have any suggestions for flowers that can be planted in sandy soils or is it just best to keep them in containers due to the soil not being able to retain the water as well as a traditional soil. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

    Tanya

    1. Hi Tanya.

      Thank you for dropping by and visiting my website. Mahonia is a shrub that produces heavenly scented yellow flowers. After flowering, berries are produced en masse, so the shrub has beautiful flowers and a beautiful scent. It is a win win situation. Yes it can be grown in the grown, as long as the doll is enriched before planting by adding organic material. It will need more watering as sandy soils are not very water retentive. I would also add some water retentive gels to not make watering such a laborious task.

      I would recommend this. Water Retaining Gel, a Review- Reduce your Need to Water Product

      Thanks

      Antonio 

  9. Once again, one of your articles has provided me with more than enough examples of what I was looking for, but I am slightly concerned with what to choose as I don’t have a large garden area any more. 

    I’m interested in the Palibin option but I’m wondering what the average dimensions are of this plant growing, and whether or not it will grow well in the UK?

    1. Hi Chris

      The beauty of gardening is that you can choose as many or few plants that you want to grow. You are in control. All the plants I suggest are for growing in an atypical British garden, where the given height is the maximum growing height the plant is expected to grow.

      Thanks

      Antoni  

       

  10. I just love the daffodils and the Rosa rose. I am planning on starting some container flowers at my corridor but I was thinking of what colours to use and I didn’t even think of the fragrance. Naturally, daffodils have a very good fragrance and I’m sire it’ll complement the rose too. I think I’ll try out some of your picks too. Thanks for the educative post.

    1. Hi Henderson.

      Thank you for your kind words. Most daffodils are in fact unscented but a select group have the most delightful aroma and these have been included in this article.I am always trying to broaden the horizon for my readers. Roses can be said to be some of the most scented plants you will ever buy, so buy some.

      Antonio  

  11. It is true that gardens can be very lightening and welcoming when there is presence of special fragrance oozing from some specific flowers in the garden and it can provide a getaway for people like me too who likes to reside in nature whenever I’m down. Though I have a few of this special flowers in my garden, I would like to add the clethra alnifolia to my garden. I like the natural feel it has and I’ve also heard about it’s special fragrance that it adds to the garden from my cousin who engages in gardening too.

    1. Hi RoDarrick

      A beautifully scented container garden will lift the mood of any gardener , as the scents can improve your mood. All the flowers I select are wonderful to look at and also  have beautiful scents, so on fact you are getting two traits for the price of one. A good selection.

      Thanks

      Antonio  

  12. This article is very enlightening, I’ve learned about what flower to plant in my garden. After today I’ll certainly go to my mothers garden and help her plant some Choisya ternata. I personally love the fragrance it gives at night. My garden will keep scenting nice after applying the knowledge I’ve gotten from this article, my love for it keeps incresing. 

    1. Hi Dane

      Thank you for stopping by, as I always appreciate the comments and feedback I receive. I hope your mother enjoy any of the plants I suggest.

      Thank you 

      Amen

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