Fragrance is one of the first features to come to mind when we think of flowers, yet it is often missing from gardens entirely. What would spring be without the enveloping perfume of lilacs? A rose just isn’t a rose without scent and Sweet Autumn Clematis lets us know the season might be winding down, but the memory will linger. One easy way to bring more fragrance back into your garden is with heirloom flowers, those old-fashioned open-pollinated plants that were garden staples for years. The term heirloom generally refers to plants that are at least 50 years old and the seed has been passed down from gardener to gardener. Some come with stories or a provenance, but many are just old standards. These older flowers are often taller than modern hybrids and sometimes a bit messier in growth habit—perfect for a cottage garden. Since they are open-pollinated, most will reseed themselves throughout your borders and generally make themselves at home, without a lot of effort on your part. Here are 12 fragrant bloomers to consider for your garden. Chocolate Daisy needs well-draining soil and may not survive the winter in cold climates with wet soil. But it grows quickly from seed and requires minimal care; just some shaping and watering during dry spells. Height: 18-24 inchesWidth: 15-18 inchesHardiness Zone: USDA zones 5-11Exposure: Full sun Plants can be started with either tubers or seeds. They can become a nuisance in warmer climates, but gardeners in cooler zones will need to either reseed every year or pot some up as houseplants, for the winter. Height: 1-4 ft.Width: 1-3 ft.Hardiness Zone: USDA zones 7-11Exposure: Full sun to partial shade More on Growing and Caring for Four O’Clocks Giant Purple Hyssop is very adaptable and can even handle high humidity better than most hyssop varieties. It makes a nice cut flower and a delicious minty tea. Height: 1-3 ft.Width: 1-3 ft.Hardiness Zone: USDA zones 5-9Exposure: Full sun They got the name Heliotrope, because they follow the sun, shifting their flower heads as the sun moves across the sky, like sunflowers. Plant them in a sunny location, because the heat helps them release their fragrance. Much like Valerian, some people pick up a hint of cherry along with the vanilla scent, which gives heliotrope the common name “the cherry pie plant.” Height: 18-24 inchesWidth: 12-15 inchesHardiness Zone: USDA zones 10-11Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Jasmine tobacco doesn’t usually start flowering until mid-summer, but then it goes until frost. Make sure you get plants labeled Nicotiana alata. There are many hybrid Nicotiana cultivars on sale today, but most have been bred for color or shape and no longer have any fragrance. What a pity. Height: 3-4 ft.Width: 15-18 inchesHardiness Zone: USDA zones 10-11Exposure: Full sun to partial shade More on Growing and Caring for Nicotiana Moonflower can also be variable when it comes to its fragrance. It is definitely strongest in the evening, so plant it by a seating area or open window. The scent is very soft, almost like baby powder, but quite lovely on a summer’s breeze. And the clear white flowers almost glow in the dark, perfect for an evening garden. Height: 8-10 ft.Width: 12-15 inchesHardiness Zone: USDA zones 8-11 (usually grown as an annual)Exposure: Full sun More on Growing Moonflowers in Containers Stock comes in pinks, lavenders, and almost white. This is a cool-season flower. Once temperatures start staying above 65 degrees F., the plants stop blooming and go to seed. Plant them in a spot protected from strong winds, so the fragrance won’t dissipate. Height: 18-24 inchesWidth: 8-12 inchesHardiness Zone: AnnualExposure: Full sun to partial shade The plants supposedly got their name because of the serrated “pinked” edges of the petals. While Pinks do not have to be pink, some of the best are, including ‘Cheddar Pink’, ‘Cottage Pink,’ and ‘Maiden Pink.’ Seed tends to be easier to find than plants. Pinks tend to have one flush of flowering, in late spring. They will rebloom sporadically if you deadhead after the initial blooms have faded. Height: 6-10 inchesWidth: 10-12 inchesHardiness Zone: USDA zones 3-10Exposure: Full sun More on Growing and Caring for Pinks Scented geraniums are as easy to care for as zonal geraniums. They are also only hardy in the warmest zones. However they make excellent houseplants and it is very easy to propagate more, by cuttings. Height: 2-3 ft.Width: 1-3 ft.Hardiness Zone: USDA zones 10-11Exposure: Full sun to partial shade More on Growing and Caring for Scented Geraniums Star jasmine is not hardy below USDA Zone 7, but you can always pot it up and bring it indoors to enjoy. The plants take a while to really start growing, but luckily they will still bloom while they’re young. Flowering is usually greatest in the spring, with smaller flushes sporadically in summer. Height: 15-20 ft. (Can be trimmed.)Width: 6-8 ft.Hardiness Zone: USDA zones 8-11Exposure: Full sun to partial shade More on Growing and Caring for Star Jasmine To be fair, there are some excellent hybrid Sweet alyssum varieties that have maintained their scent. However, there are also many that have sacrificed fragrance for color and form. Height: 4-6 inchesWidth: 6-9 inchesHardiness Zone: AnnualExposure: Full sun to partial shade More on Growing and Caring for Sweet Alyssum These are clasping vines that grow best in cooler temperatures, although they will continue to bloom well into summer if given regular water. Sweet peas make wonderful cut flowers. Don’t be shy about cutting them, since the more you cut, the more they flower. Height: 6-8 ft.Width: 6-12 inchesHardiness Zone: AnnualExposure: Full sun to partial shade More on Growing and Caring for Sweet Peas The flower heads are clusters of small, tubular flowers held up high on hollow, but sturdy stems. The plants are spread by rhizomes, but do not generally get out of control. Besides, a large mass of Valerian is the best way to enjoy it. Height: 18-24 inchesWidth: 2-3 ft.Hardiness Zone: USDA zones 4-9Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
