- 10 most fragrant bushes<\/a>
- Banana shrub<\/a><\/li>
- Carolina allspice <\/a><\/li>
- Korean spice viburnum <\/a><\/li>
- Lavender<\/a><\/li>
- Mexican orange blossom<\/a><\/li>
- Mock orange <\/a><\/li>
- Sweet box <\/a><\/li>
- White forsythia<\/a><\/li>
- Winter Daphne <\/a><\/li>
- Winter hazel <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Why scent matters in bushes, trees and flowers<\/a>
- The power of smell<\/a><\/li>
- Why do plants produce fragrance?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Plant location matters<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ about fragrant bushes<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
10 most fragrant bushes<\/span><\/h2>
Adding sweet-smelling bushes to your garden is a great way to bring an element beyond visual beauty to your landscaping.<\/p>
Banana shrub (Magnolia figo)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"pinkish](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Banana-shrub.jpg\")
Thomas Quine<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This evergreen produces attractive flower buds that are soft and fuzzy before blooming into cream-colored blooms with a touch of crimson around the edges and emitting a sweet <\/strong>smell of bananas<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>
The banana shrub is often thought of as a miniature Southern magnolia and blooms sporadically throughout the summer. The shrub prefers slightly acidic, well-drained sandy soil and is drought-tolerant<\/a>.<\/p>
Plant type: <\/strong>Broadleaf evergreen shrub<\/p>
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 7-10<\/p>
Blooming season: <\/strong>Late spring into early summer (April-June)<\/p>
Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/p>
Soil drainage:<\/strong> Good<\/p>
Light: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/p>
Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"red](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Carolina-allspice.jpg\")
\u963f\u6a4b HQ<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Large fragrant maroon flowers begin to bloom on this shrub from mid-April to mid-May and into July. This shrub\u2019s blossoms have a sweet, spicy, and <\/strong>fruity scent<\/strong><\/a> like strawberries<\/strong> that intensifies in higher temperatures. When crushed, the leaves also release an aroma, and the bark can be used as a cinnamon substitute.<\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Shrub<\/p>
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 4-9<\/p>
Blooming season: <\/strong>Spring (April-May)<\/p>
Maintenance: <\/strong>Medium<\/p>
Soil drainage:<\/strong> Good, moist, occasional flooding, occasionally dry<\/p>
Light: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/p>
Korean spice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Korean](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_schildblatt.jpg\")
Martin1009<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC-BY-SA-3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This low-maintenance beauty shines year-round<\/a>. Its springtime red buds bloom into showy pink or white flowers in snowball-like clusters that pour out a spicy-sweet fragrance<\/strong>. As spring continues into summer, its petals fade from pink to white. The blooms give way to bright red fruits that ripen to black in the late summer. In the fall, the shrub\u2019s dark green leaves turn deep red or burgundy. <\/p>
Plant type: <\/strong>Evergreen perennial shrub<\/p>
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: <\/strong>4-7<\/p>
Blooming season:<\/strong> Early spring (March-April)<\/p>
Maintenance:<\/strong> Low<\/p>
Soil drainage: <\/strong>Good<\/p>
Light: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/p>
Lavender (Lavandula)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Lavender\"](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_lavender-g9f0a66e36_1280.jpg\")
Hans<\/a> | Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Lavender is known for its small violet flowers that emit a strong floral aroma<\/strong> and has an herbal element similar to rosemary. The whole plant is fragrant and can be grown in a rock, pollinator, or edible garden. It is commonly used in teas, perfumes, soaps, and lotions.<\/p>
This dwarf shrub can easily be grown and harvested in a backyard garden. No fertilizers are needed, just add compost to the soil. Then when you are ready to harvest your lavender<\/a>, cut the stems just as the flowers start to open and hang them to dry.<\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Shrub, herb, perennial<\/p>
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: <\/strong>5-9<\/p>
Blooming season: <\/strong>Summer (June-August)<\/p>
Maintenance: <\/strong>Medium<\/p>
Soil drainage: <\/strong>Good, occasionally dry<\/p>
Light:<\/strong> Full sun to partial shade<\/p>
Mexican orange blossom (Choisya ternata)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Mexican](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_499719989_376a230732_c.jpg\")
Ruth Hartnup<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Mexican orange blossoms are known for their fragrant white flowers. This evergreen shrub blooms intermittently throughout the summer and even into the fall. Its leaves emit an orange fragrance<\/strong> when crushed.<\/p>
Known for its fragrant and showy leaves and flowers, Mexican orange blossoms<\/a> prefer locations with mild winters. Native to the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico, cold winds can cause damage if shrubs are not sheltered. <\/p>
Plant type: <\/strong>Evergreen shrub<\/p>
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 7-10<\/p>
Blooming season: <\/strong>Late spring into early fall (<\/strong>May-September)<\/p>
Maintenance: <\/strong>Medium<\/p>
Soil drainage: <\/strong>Good, moist<\/p>
Light: <\/strong>Full sun<\/p>
Mock orange (Philadelphus coronarius)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Mock](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_philadelphus_pubescens.jpg\")
Eric Hunt<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC-BY-SA-4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This sweet-smelling ornamental shrub produces white blooms in cups that resemble the shape of an orange blossom, giving it its commonly used name \u2013 mock orange. It even smells like an extra sweet orange tree<\/strong>.<\/p>
When in bloom, mock orange<\/a> is very attractive, but it is rather unremarkable the rest of the year. However, its green foliage provides an attractive backdrop for other flowering plants.<\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Perennial shrub<\/p>
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 4-8<\/p>
Blooming season: <\/strong>Late spring into early summer (May-June)<\/p>
Maintenance:<\/strong> Low to medium<\/p>
Soil drainage:<\/strong> Good<\/p>
Light: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/p>
Sweet box (Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Sweet](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_6807114162_fc2ddeda79_c.jpg\")
Megan Hansen<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The small creamy-white blooms of this winter-flowering shrub emit a hard-to-miss sweet vanilla scent<\/strong>. The fragrant flowers then give way to shiny red berries that transition to black throughout the summer. This evergreen shrub needs a lot of shade or the afternoon sun will discolor the foliage. Sweet box<\/a> prefers loose, well-drained soil and is generally rabbit and deer resistant.<\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Groundcover, broadleaf evergreen shrub<\/p>
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 6-9<\/p>
Blooming season:<\/strong> Late winter (January-February)<\/p>
Maintenance:<\/strong> Low<\/p>
Soil drainage: <\/strong>Good, moist<\/p>
Light:<\/strong> Partial to full shade<\/p>
White forsythia (Abeliophyllum distichum)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"white](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/white-forsythia.jpg\")
sharon_k<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> This underused shrub features white to light pink flowers that open up from purple buds in the early spring. The blooms smell of sweet honey almonds<\/strong> and should be placed in the background as the plant is not very attractive when not in bloom. The white forsythia<\/a> shrub is typically easy to grow and does best in a sunny area and well-drained soil. <\/p>
Plant type:<\/strong> Perennial shrub<\/p>
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones:<\/strong> 4 to 8, but not widely grown<\/p>
Blooming season:<\/strong> Early spring (March-April)<\/p>
Maintenance:<\/strong> Low<\/p>
Soil drainage:<\/strong> Good drainage<\/p>
Light: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/p>
Winter Daphne (Daphne odora)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Winter](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_5050215129_05f7a7d9f0_c.jpg\")
halfrain<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The pale pink flowers of this evergreen give off a gentle, sweet, spicy scent<\/strong>. Butterflies are attracted to the nectar of this winter-blooming shrub. It\u2019s a great option for climates that often go back and forth from warm days to cold days.<\/p>
This plant will brighten any winter landscape with its showy flowers blooming in pink, lavender, or white in mid-to-late winter. Winter Daphne<\/a> is somewhat salt-tolerant and prefers well-drained soils.<\/p>
Plant type: <\/strong>Evergreen shrub<\/p>
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: <\/strong>7-9<\/p>
Blooming season:<\/strong> Winter (February to early March)<\/p>
Maintenance: <\/strong>Medium<\/p>
Soil drainage:<\/strong> Good, moist, occasionally dry<\/p>
Light:<\/strong> Full sun to partial shade<\/p>
Winter hazel (Corylopsis)<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Winterhazel](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_winterhazel_nekonomania.jpg\")
Yoko Nekonomania<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Pale yellow flowers bloom from bare branches in the early spring on this shrub. The sweetly scented flowers<\/strong> give way to green leaves in summer, then the leaves turn orange and red in the fall. Winter hazel<\/a> is a medium-sized deciduous shrub and a close relative of witch hazel unlikely to grow past 6 feet tall. <\/p>
Plant type: <\/strong>Shrub<\/p>
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: <\/strong>5-8<\/p>
Blooming season:<\/strong> Early spring (March)<\/p>
Maintenance: <\/strong>Low<\/p>
Soil drainage:<\/strong> Good, moist <\/p>
Light:<\/strong> Full sun to partial shade<\/p>
- Why do plants produce fragrance?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Carolina allspice <\/a><\/li>
- Banana shrub<\/a><\/li>