8 Fragrant Plants That Double as Privacy Screens for a Beautiful, Sweet-Smelling Oasis Make your yard feel both elegant and secluded with these expert-approved picks. Close Credit: gurineb / GETTY IMAGES A living wall of fragrant flowers is perfect for summer entertaining, impressing your guests and shielding them from any nosy neighbors. These privacy screens can be trees, shrubs, or vines—so long as you train them to cover the desired area. Of course, with so many elegant options to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Here, we asked experts about the best plants for creating a secluded, sweet-smelling retreat. Megan McConnell, horticulturist and plant information director at Monrovia Laura Irish-Hanson, extension horticulture educator at the department of agricultural and natural resource systems, University of Minnesota Extension 12 Backyard Privacy Ideas for a Secluded Garden Oasis 01 of 08 Wisteria Credit: nkeskin / GETTY IMAGES Long a favorite of cottage gardens, wisteria is a stellar choice for a fragrant vine that can conceal your property. Plus, setting up a wisteria screen may only require a few plants spaced several feet apart, allowing you to make the most of their 8-foot spread. "It does best when trained on an arbor, trellis, or fence to allow a full view of the spectacular, pendulous flower clusters," says Megan McConnell, horticulturist at Monrovia. Zones: 5 to 9Mature size: 15 to 30 feet tall x 4 to 8 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil; keep moist 02 of 08 Lilacs Credit: Johner Images / GETTY IMAGES The sweet fragrance of a lilac bush is a timeless classic, and forming a hedge out of these flowers isn't too hard, as they can be pruned strategically to thin out. Laura Irish-Hanson, a horticulture educator at the University of Minnesota Extension, notes that she grows a barrier of lilacs spread about 6 feet apart, and trimmed to be 4 feet wide. This creates a tight screen so she can't see any neighbors. Zones: 3 to 8Mature size: 4 to 9 feet tall x 5 to 7 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; sandy, well-drained soil; medium watering When and How to Prune Lilacs for a Prolific Show of Flowers Year After Year 03 of 08 Clove Currants Credit: Getty Native to the Midwest, clove currents are deciduous shrubs that smell delightful. "They will kind of colonize an area, and they're gorgeous," says Irish-Hanson. Their beautiful, delicate yellow flowers will also attract butterflies and birds. A bonus? The plant creates fruit that can either be eaten raw or transformed into jellies and pie fillings. Zones: 4 to 8Mature size: 7 feet tall x 3 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; fertile, well-drained soil; medium watering and even moisture 04 of 08 Crabapple Credit: Pride’s Corner Farms A member of the rose family, crabapples can be intensely showy and fragrant, says Irish-Hanson. These easy, low-maintenance trees can handle a variety of soils and even hold up well to air pollution, if you happen to be in an urban or industrial area. Birds are a fan of the fruit; eaten raw, they may be tart for many humans, but they can be made into jellies or jams. Zones: 4 to 8Mature size: 20 feet tall x 20 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; acidic, well-drained soil; medium watering 05 of 08 Gardenias Credit: Getty / Kseniya Romazonova Gardenias are a must for fragrance lovers, with an intensely floral, fruity smell that's accompanied by a creamy, coconut aroma. "Gardenias add a romantic beauty to the garden, with beautiful white flowers set against green foliage," says McConnell. As shrubs, they can easily be pruned to size after their summer bloom. Zones: 8 to 11Mature size: 6 feet tall x 6 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; acidic, well-drained soil; medium watering 06 of 08 Climbing Roses Credit: Gado Images / Getty Images Another cottage garden favorite, a well-placed hedge of climbing roses is sure to stun guests while also blocking your neighbor's view. "With a variety of colors and traits, talk with a local garden center expert to find the right fit for your needs," says McConnell. You may need to find the right trellis, arbor, or fence to support your roses, but once established, it's well worth the cost. Zones: 5 to 8Mature size: 12 feet tall x 10 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; sandy, well-drained soil; medium to wet watering 11 Fast-Growing Climbing Roses for a Lush, Cottage-Garden Look 07 of 08 Osmanthus Credit: saraTM / Getty Images Often called holly olive or false olive, osmanthus is native to Japan and Taiwan, and is somewhat tropical-looking. "It's an evergreen shrub with broad leaves, along with tiny flower clusters that have a sweet fragrance," says McConnell. Its flowers contrast beautifully against its dark green, ovate leaves, adding interest and movement to the garden. Zones: 7 to 9Mature size: 10 feet tall x 9 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; rich, well-drained soil; medium watering 08 of 08 Bay Laurel Credit: Getty / photohamster If you're looking for an attractive hedge that can be pruned to your exact needs, consider the bay laurel. "Bay laurel brings a taste of the Mediterranean to gardens, along with a unique, aromatic scent that’s different from many fragrant favorites," says McConnell. "Its natural form makes it perfect for hedges, topiary shapes, or containers." Zones: 8 to 10Mature size: 30 feet tall x 20 feet wideCare requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil; medium watering Explore more: Garden