Flowers that emit a pleasant scent are a great detail for any garden. In addition to generating flowers that add color and visual energy to your surroundings, their fragrance fills the air, making it feel calm and welcoming. Just as with perfume, you'll want to cultivate a variety that you find appealing, whether you favor flowers with an irresistibly sweet aroma or those that have a more warm and spicy smell. These 10 fast-growing fragrant flowers are ones you'll want to have in your backyard asap.
10 of the Best Fast-Growing Fragrant Flowers for Your Garden
Besides having only fragrant flowers in your garden, another important factor to consider is growth speed. Once planted, most gardeners are eager to enjoy the pleasant scent of their flowers without a long wait. To assist with that, gardening experts share 10 of the best fast-growing, fragrant flowers for a beautifully scented garden in no time.
1. Oriental Lilies - Lilium Orientalis
Oriental lilies are an excellent choice for gardeners seeking fast-growing, fragrant flowers that deliver impact in a short time. Once planted, they establish quickly and produce tall, sturdy stems topped with broad, open petals in colors such as pink, white, yellow, and red. Their powerful scent is among the most recognizable in ornamental gardening, often filling the surrounding air with a sweet, lingering perfume. Thanks to their relatively quick growth, strong structure, and extended bloom period in mid to late summer, Oriental lilies are ideal for impatient gardeners who want noticeable results and fragrance without a long wait.
2. Sweet Peas - Lathyrus Odoratus
Sweet peas are among the ten fastest-growing fragrant options that reward gardeners quickly with both beauty and scent. These charming annuals produce soft, ruffled petals that flourish in clusters along slender, climbing stems. Their sweet, floral fragrance—often likened to orange blossoms or hyacinths—is one of the most cherished in the garden. Thanks to their rapid germination and early flowering season, sweet peas are ideal for those who want quick, fragrant results. When supported with a trellis or netting, they grow quickly and generously, making them a favorite for cutting gardens and floral arrangements alike.
3. Snapdragons - Antirrhinum Majus
Snapdragons, considered one of the most loved spring-blooming annuals, produce tall spikes of uniquely shaped flowers in a variety of colors, from pastels to more saturated tones. Their scent is gentle yet distinctive—sweet with a hint of spice—and becomes more noticeable in warmer weather. Snapdragons not only grow quickly but also provide a vertical dimension to garden beds and floral arrangements. Their strong stems and long vase life make them especially suitable for cutting gardens, offering both structure and scent in a short amount of time.
4. Plantain Lilies - Hosta Plantaginea
Plantain lilies stand out among hosta varieties for their late-summer bloom and fragrant white flowers. Emerging in mid-spring with heart-shaped green leaves, this species produces tubular blossoms that dangle gracefully from the foliage. These flowers emit a scent reminiscent of honeysuckle, becoming especially aromatic during the evening hours. Their elegant form and nighttime fragrance make them a special addition to shaded garden spaces or evening landscapes.
Photo: @dawns_gardening
5. Freesias
Freesias grow in rows of small, funnel-shaped flowers along slender, arching stems. Available in bright colors like yellow, pink, purple, and white, they’re especially loved for their light, citrus-like scent that stays noticeable even after cutting. Their tidy growth habit and long-lasting fragrance make them one of the best fast-growing fragrant flowers for gardens.
Photos: @themindfulgardener
6. Phlox - Phlox Paniculata
Phlox is a beloved perennial known for its distinct sweet and slightly spicy fragrance, which makes it particularly attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies. The plant produces large, dense clusters of star-shaped flowers that come in several colors, like pink, purple, white, and red. These colorful flowers create an eye-catching display, perfect for adding a cottage-garden wonder to any landscape. It thrives in sunny spots with well-drained soil, and its strong fragrance is especially noticeable during the warmer months. It's not just a visual delight but a sensory one as well, with its long-lasting scent filling the air.
7. Lavender - Lavandula
Lavender is a well-known herb that produces tall spikes covered in small flowers, usually purple, blue, or white, standing above its grey-green leaves. The plant gives off a strong, herbal scent that is commonly used in essential oils, dried arrangements, and various wellness products. Its aroma is refreshing and calming, often associated with relaxation. Lavender is popular in gardens and is valued for its simple beauty and practical uses.
Once planted, it establishes itself fast, and you can begin enjoying its fragrant flowers within a few months. Its hardiness also makes it ideal for a variety of climates, and with proper care, it can thrive year-round. Additionally, lavender’s ability to tolerate dry conditions and poor soil means it’s a low-maintenance option for gardeners looking to enjoy fragrant flowers with minimal effort.
8. Bee Balm - Monarda
Bee balm is a popular choice for gardeners looking to attract pollinators as its shaggy flowers draw in bees and hummingbirds. The flowers bloom in shades of red, pink, purple, or white, adding color to any garden. In addition to their visual attraction, the flowers have a refreshing fragrance with hints of mint and citrus, making bee balm a delightful and aromatic addition to garden spaces. It’s a great option for gardeners who want to encourage wildlife while enhancing their garden’s scent and beauty.
9. Hyacinth - Hyacinthus
Hyacinths are popular flowers with many different varieties, each offering something different. These flowers usually flourish in mid-spring, filling the air with a sweet, pleasant fragrance. Their strong scent makes them a favorite choice for gardeners, who often place them in containers near doorways or in sunny areas like bright windows or cool sunrooms. The colorful flowers, often in shades of purple, pink, or white, add a fresh and welcoming touch to any space.
10. Sweetshrub - Calycanthus Floridus
Sweetshrub is a long-lasting and attractive flowering plant that makes a great addition to any garden. Native to North America, the best variety to grow is Calycanthus floridus, which produces deciduous leaves in mid-spring, along with fragrant flowers. The flowers release a sweet scent similar to fresh fruit, such as melon or pineapple. This delightful fragrance, combined with its distinct appearance, makes Sweetshrub an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add variety and interest to their outdoor spaces while having a fast-growing flower.
If you're looking to quickly fill your garden with scent and color, fast-growing fragrant flowers are a practical and rewarding choice. They offer an easy way to create a space that feels lively and inviting in no time at all.
