The Queen of Fragrant Flowering Shrubs

I for one don’t think you can ever have too many fragrant plants in the garden. There’s just something about breathing in that flower-scented air that never fails to thrill me. I still have such powerful memories of the lilies of the valley in my grandmother’s backyard when I was a child. Nowadays, I rely a lot more on shrubs for fragrance since many of them bloom for a longer period than their herbaceous counterparts.

So where does one begin when it comes to adding some intoxicating floral scents to the garden? Well, it would be silly to start with anything other than the queen of fragrant flowering shrubs – the Bloomerang series of reblooming lilacs. Bloomerang Purple and Bloomerang Dark Purple give you more of what you love – those iconic lilac blooms. These super-hardy plants shrug off tough winters and bloom in spring, take a brief rest, and then start blooming again in mid-summer. The show continues right through to frost, with some years even seeing them in flower on Thanksgiving in the trial gardens. Talk about an extended season of fragrance!

Shrubs with Intriguing Scents

But lilacs aren’t the only fragrant shrubs worth adding to the garden. Take Carolina allspice, for example. Also known as sweetshrub, strawberry shrub, pineapple shrub, and sweet Betsy, this large 6-18ft tall and wide shrub has attractive glossy foliage and unique dark red flowers that bloom from late spring through summer. And the fragrance? Well, that’s where it gets really interesting. Depending on the age of the flower, the time of day, and even the person doing the smelling, the scent can range from apple cider to bananas, pineapple, and even bubble gum. You’ll just have to get up close and personal with one to see what it smells like to you!

Another fragrant stunner is Ruby Anniversary abelia. This elegant, fountain-like shrub brings a jasmine-like perfume to the landscape in late summer and early fall, when few other fragrant plants are blooming. With its glossy leaves, red stems, and new growth, Ruby Anniversary is a real head-turner. And the best part? It’s hardy in USDA Zones 5-9, greatly expanding the range where this very long-blooming shrub will thrive.

Shrubs for Shade and Fall Color

Of course, fragrant shrubs aren’t just for sunny spots. Take Vanilla Spice and Sugartina Crystalina summersweet, for example. These easy-going native shrubs bloom in mid-summer, filling the air with their sweet-spicy scent, even in partial shade. And the fall color? Spectacular.

And let’s not forget about Little Henry itea, the garden classic that’s still going strong after 15 years. This compact, shade-tolerant native offers up sweetly scented flowers in early summer and outstanding fall color, so its appeal lasts well beyond its bloom time.

Fragrant Vines and Elderberries

Now, the best thing about fragrant vines is that they create their flowers where it matters most – at nose-level. That’s why I love Scentsation honeysuckle. I’ve got mine planted at the base of an unused basketball hoop pole, and the hundreds of fruity-sweet yellow and white blooms that appear from late spring through mid-summer cast their spell over the entire garden.

And let’s not forget about elderberries. Their foliage may have that notoriously funky smell (you know, the “your father smelt of elderberries” bit from Monty Python), but the flowers give off a delightful sweet and soft anise scent. In fact, throughout Europe, the flowers are added to pitchers of cold water as a refreshing summer beverage, infusing it with their perfume. Black Lace elderberries even tint the elderflower water pink with their natural purple pigmentation.

Springtime Fragrance Superstars

Lilacs may get all the credit for springtime fragrance, but those who grow Koreanspice viburnum know that it deserves wider recognition. This early spring bloomer has a powerful spicy-sweet scent that’s unlike anything else. And if you’re short on space, check out the dwarf Spice Baby variety.

Speaking of springtime fragrance, have you ever considered growing your own bay leaves? Sicilian Sunshine bay laurel ups the game with its bright yellow foliage. You can use the aromatic leaves in your cooking, fresh or dried, or even in floral arrangements. And while bay laurel can only grow outdoors in USDA Zones 8-10, cold climate gardeners can always grow it in a pot and bring it indoors for the winter.

A Fragrant Native Shrub

Last but not least, we have to talk about Sugar Shack buttonbush. This native shrub is covered with hundreds of white globe-like blooms in mid-summer that emit an irresistible honey fragrance. Smaller than its wild counterparts, Sugar Shack is perfect for most any landscape. And the show doesn’t end with the flowers – the fruit turns red in the fall, prolonging the display.

So there you have it, my fragrant friends – a veritable bouquet of scented shrubs to transform your garden into a true sensory delight. Whether you’re looking for springtime lilac perfume, summer’s spicy-sweet notes, or that irresistible honeyed aroma, there’s a fragrant stunner out there just waiting to find a home in your today’s gardens. Happy planting!