Part of our Garden Calendar Series, helping you plan your blooms for beauty, fragrance, and year-round enjoyment.

Why Plan a Scented Garden by Month

Fragrance is one of the most powerful elements in garden design. A well-planned scented garden offers something in bloom every month, ensuring that no matter the season, a breath of perfume greets you at the gate. By selecting plants that peak at different times of the year, you can create a continuous sensory experience that refreshes your outdoor space month after month.

January – Winter Jasmine & Sweet Box

• Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) – Bright yellow blooms with a light, cheerful fragrance.
• Sweet Box (Sarcococca confusa) – Highly fragrant white flowers hidden among glossy evergreen leaves.

February – Witch Hazel & Daphne

• Witch Hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia) – Spicy-sweet scent from crimped yellow or red blooms.
• Winter Daphne (Daphne odora) – Intense, sweet fragrance perfect for pathways and entryways.

March – Hyacinths & Violets

• Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) – Bold scent in purple, pink, or white.
• Sweet Violet (Viola odorata) – Delicate perfume and a charming old-fashioned appeal.

April – Lilacs & Lily of the Valley

• Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) – Romantic fragrance that signals spring is in full swing.
• Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) – Tiny bells with a scent far bigger than their size.

May – Peonies & Mock Orange

• Peony (Paeonia lactiflora) – Rich, rosy fragrance with lush petals.
• Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius) – Sweet, citrusy blooms in creamy white clusters.

June – Roses & Gardenias

• Old Garden Roses (Rosa spp.) – Classic, complex perfume unmatched in the floral world.
• Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) – Creamy white blooms with intoxicating tropical fragrance.

July – Lavender & Sweet Peas

• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – Calming scent perfect for drying and sachets.
• Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus) – Light, candy-like fragrance in soft pastels.

August – Heliotrope & Nicotiana

• Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens) – Warm, vanilla-cherry scent.
• Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana alata) – Evening fragrance that fills the garden with sweetness.

September – Tuberose & Autumn Clematis

• Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) – Rich, exotic perfume ideal for late-summer evenings.
• Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora) – Clouds of small white blooms with honey scent.

October – Scented Chrysanthemums & Osmanthus

• Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) – Spicy fragrance from heirloom varieties.
• Fragrant Tea Olive (Osmanthus fragrans) – Tiny flowers with a powerful apricot-like aroma.

November – Camellia Sasanqua & Mahonia

• Camellia sasanqua – Lightly scented blooms in pink, white, or red.
• Mahonia (Mahonia x media) – Sweetly fragrant yellow blooms that brighten gray days.

December – Paperwhites & Winter Honeysuckle

• Paperwhite Narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus) – Crisp, spicy fragrance indoors or out.
• Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) – Sweet lemony scent from pale cream blooms.

Master Gardener Tip

Stagger your fragrant plants in different parts of the garden so there’s always a scented “hot spot” near where you spend time outdoors. This also allows you to create seasonal “fragrance tours” through your garden.

Bringing It All Together

By curating a year-round calendar of fragrant blooms, your garden becomes more than just a visual delight—it becomes a living perfume counter, changing with the seasons. Whether you’re sipping tea on a frosty January morning or hosting friends on a balmy July evening, your garden will always have something wonderful in the air.