12 Fast-Growing Fragrant Flowers for Impatient Gardeners

Colorful snapdragons — Credit:
Getty Images

Fragrant flowers are a wonderful addition to any garden. Not only do they produce beautiful blooms that fill your landscape with color, but their scent creates a calming, welcoming atmosphere. Like perfume, you'll want to grow a variety that appeals to you, whether you prefer flowers that smell intoxicatingly sweet or have hints of warmth and spice.

Another thing to consider is how quickly they grow. After planting, you'll want to enjoy the delicious scent of your flowers sooner rather than later. To help, we spoke to gardening experts who shared the best fast-growing fragrant flowers for an incredible smelling garden in no time.

01 of 12

Oriental Lilies

Oriental lilies (Lilium orientalis) boast large, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in shades of pink, white, yellow, and red. "Their rich, heady perfume fills the air, making them one of the most fragrant flowers for cutting gardens and floral arrangements," says Laura Walsh, director of marketing for Oasis Forage Products. "They have strong stems and a long vase life, but their pollen-bearing anthers should be removed to prevent staining and extend freshness indoors."

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 3 to 6 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil

02 of 12

Stock

Stock (Matthiola incana) produces spikes of densely packed, velvety blooms in beautiful pastels and rich jewel tones. "Their fragrance is both spicy and sweet, with warm clove and vanilla notes that intensify in the evening," says Walsh. "Stock makes an excellent cut flower due to its sturdy stems and long-lasting nature in arrangements."

Zones: 7 to 10
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil

03 of 12

Plantain Lily

Plantain lilies (Hosta plantaginea) bloom in August, much later than most Hosta varieties. "The species emerges in mid-spring with bright green, heart-shaped leaves," says Adrienne Roethling, head gardener for a private estate. Large white tubular flowers hang like little trumpets from the foliage. "The flowers are pleasantly fragrant like honeysuckle flowers and are most fragrant at night," she says.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full to partial shade; well-drained, compost-rich soil

04 of 12

Sweet Peas

sweat pea flowers in garden — Getty Images

Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) are known for their delicate, ruffled petals that often appear climbing up twining stems. "Their fragrance is intensely sweet and floral, often compared to orange blossoms or hyacinths," says Walsh. "They are excellent cut flowers with long stems and a delightful scent."

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 4 to 6 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; rich, well-drained soil

05 of 12

Snapdragons

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are an annual spring-bloomer with flowering spikes of dragon-mouthed flowers that bloom in various hues. Walsh says that these flowers add vertical interest to gardens and arrangements. "Their fragrance is subtle but pleasant, with a mix of sweetness and spice, which is most noticeable in warm temperatures," she says. "Snapdragons are long-lasting cut flowers with strong stems and should be harvested when the lower flowers on the spike begin to open."

Zones: 7 to 10
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

06 of 12

Freesia

Freesia (Freesia spp.) produces clusters of small, funnel-shaped blooms in vibrant yellows, pinks, purples, and whites, says Walsh. The flowers fill the garden with a fresh, citrusy scent that Wash says lingers long after being cut and put into vases.

Zones: 9 to 10
Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

07 of 12

Phlox

Defined by its sweet, slightly spicy scent, Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) is a favorite among pollinators. It produces clusters of vibrant star-shaped flowers that bloom in shades of pink, purple, white, and red, creating a bold, cottage-garden effect, says Kelly Funk, president and CEO of Jackson & Perkins.

Zones: 4 to 8
Size: 2 to 4 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil

08 of 12

Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula) is a classic herb that produces slender spikes of tiny purple, blue, or white flowers above silvery-green foliage, says Funk. Its blooms have a strong herbal fragrance, used in essential oils and dried arrangements.

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; sandy, well-drained soil

09 of 12

Bee Balm

A charming pollinator-friendly plant, bee balm (Monarda spp.) yields whimsical shaggy blooms in red, pink, purple, or white that attract hummingbirds and bees. "Their refreshing fragrance carries a hint of mint and citrus, making them a delightful addition to gardens," says Funk.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 2 to 4 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

10 of 12

Dianthus

Dianthus (Dianthus ssp.) is a genus of hundreds of flowering plants, including many fragrant varieties. Plants in this family feature compact mounds of frilled or fringed flowers in shades of pink, red, white, and bicolor, often with striking markings, says Funk. "Their strong, spicy fragrance adds charm to borders and rock gardens," she adds.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 6 to 18 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

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Hyacinth

There are thousands of recognized hyacinth (Hyacinthus) varieties. "In the garden, hyacinths typically bloom in mid-spring," says Roethling. "Once in bloom, hyacinths are pleasantly fragrant. Gardeners love to place them in containers near a doorway or indoors in a cool sunroom or near a bright window."

Zones: 4 to 8
Size: 8 to 12 inches tall x 3 to 6 inches wide
Care requirements: Full to partial sun; fertile, well-drained soil

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Sweetshrub

Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) is a long-lasting flower that is an unexpected but beautiful addition to bouquets. "The best species to grow is C. floridus, a North American native with deciduous leaves that emerge in mid-spring along with sweetly fragrant flowers," says Roethling. Sweetshrub has a lovely scent reminiscent of fresh fruit, such as sweet melon or pineapple.