Nothing beats that first breath of spring air when it’s loaded with perfume. While early blooms are a treat for the eyes, these ten fragrant powerhouses turn a simple walk through the garden into a full sensory experience.
From the depths of winter to the peak of May, here is how to keep your garden smelling incredible.
Early Bloomers (Late Winter – Early Spring)
1. Sarcococca confusa (Sweet Box): Don't let its modest look fool you. This evergreen shrub tucks tiny white flowers under its leaves that pack a massive, honey-sweet punch in late winter.
2. Viburnum × bodnantense: These pink clusters appear on bare wood while the rest of the garden is still sleeping. Snip a few stems for a vase to bring that delicate scent inside.
3. Daphne odora: She can be a bit of a diva, but the perfume is unmatched. Give her dappled shade and rich, well-drained soil, and she’ll reward you with the best scent of the season.
Mid-Spring Classics
4. Hyacinths: The heavyweights of floral fragrance. Whether on a windowsill or lining a garden path, their scent intensifies as the bells open.
5. Scented Daffodils: Not all narcissi are created equal! For the best aroma, look for varieties like ‘Actaea’, ‘Geranium’, or ‘Silver Chimes’.
6. Wallflowers: These are the unsung heroes of the cottage garden. They are easy-going biennials that offer a soft, spicy fragrance and look stunning paired with tulips.
7. Viburnum carlesii (Korean Spice Viburnum): This shrub earns its nickname. In mid-spring, it produces "snowballs" of flowers with a heady, spicy-sweet scent that carries across the yard.
Late Spring Showstoppers
8. Osmanthus delavayi: If you have a shady spot, this is your plant. It produces white, jasmine-like flowers that bees absolutely adore.
9. Lily-of-the-valley: A woodland classic. These delicate white bells love damp, shady corners and provide one of the cleanest, sweetest scents in nature.
10. Wisteria: The grand finale. This vigorous climber drapes walls in purple racemes that smell like heaven. Just make sure your trellis is strong—these vines mean business!
Transform your garden today
Ready to start your sensory garden? Come see (and smell) our full selection of spring-flowering plants!
Visit our garden centre in St. Albans soon in to see what’s currently in bloom.
