Ok – so one characteristic most of us can admire in a flower is a sweet smelling flower. Well, I decided to compile this rather large list of fragrant natives that you can add to your garden. It is a good mix of flowers, shrubs, and trees that can provide some sweet smelling aromatics to your backyard!
Agastache (Anise Hyssop, Purple Giant Hyssop)
One of the most popular plants with all pollinators, Agastache is versatile in it’s growing conditions and has some of the most fragrant flowers and foliage around. When crushed or torn, both the leaves and flowers give off an aroma similar to black licorice.
Black Cherry
Our first native tree on the list, Black Cherry flowers are as fragrant as they are beautiful. Unfortunately, the flowering only lasts a couple of weeks in Springtime. However, this tree is so valuable for wildlife that it should always be in consideration for a shade tree in any yard.
Black Locust
Of all native flowers I’ve ever smelt in my life, I believe that the Black Locust is the most fragrant. I’m not being hyperbolic! If you see these hanging clusters of pea-like white flowers, go sniff them and tell me I’m wrong! Now, this doesn’t mean you should plant it anywhere near your yard, as it’s true native range is quite small (although it is spread all over the country). But really, the long suckering rhizomes can be annoying with all the baby trees popping up in your yard!
Elderberry
An excellent shrub for pollinators and birds, Elderberry (Sambucus sp) also produce numerous sweet smelling flowerheads that are loaded with dozens to hundreds of tiny flowers. As you would expect, bees will mob this plant to get that nectar when in bloom in mid-Summer.
Evening Primrose
There are many different species of Evening Primrose native to North America, and most of them give off a noticable scent. The most common one (Oenothera biennis) has a lemony aroma and is often found along roadsides.
Milkweed (asclepias sp)
Primarily known for being the host plant for Monarch Butterflies, and their unique seed pods that have been entertaining children for centuries, Milkweed also boasts fragrant flowers. The bloom duration of most milkweeds is quite long, and they are incredibly popular with bees and butterflies alike.
There are dozens of different milkweeds native to North America, and there is most certainly one native to your area. However, you should be wary of the spreading nature (underground runners) that many species have. That being said, you may want to read our article on milkweeds that will not spread….
Mountain Laurel
The state flower of Pennsylvania (where I live) isn’t just pretty, it’s fragrant too! This evergreen shrub does great in acidic soils that drain well. And the blooming period lasts for approximately one month in early Summer. But if you are out hiking in the Appalachians, or just have a friend who grows this shrub – take advantage to enjoy the blooms lovely aroma.
Mountain Mint
Quite possibly the most popular flower for pollinators, Mountain Mint (pycnamthemum sp) covers a wide variety of species (see our guide to the most common ones here). But the reason this plant is on the list is probably fairly obvious – the flowers and foliage have an incredibly minty aroma. This aroma isn’t just pleasing to us for the smell or use in teas, it also keeps deer away. Yes, these plants are effectively deer-proof!
New Jersey Tea
Although not commonly grown or sold in many nurseries, New Jersey Tea has some sweet smelling flowers and foliage. Hence, it’s common name came about as it was used as a substitute for tea during the American Revolution. But this small shrub is gorgeous, smells nice, and is highly attractive to pollinators.
Phlox
Phlox sp. covers a wide variety of species within the Phlox genus. But these showy blooms produce large amounts of nectar that attract numerous butterflies, that also smell pretty sweet too.
Pinxter Azaela
Quite possibly the most gorgeous of all native shrubs, Pinxter Azalea not only has stunning looks but has fragrant flowers! This shade-loving deciduous shrub often reaches 5-10′ tall. I’m fortunate to have a healthy population growing near me in the Appalachian mountains that I can admire every Spring.
Rhododendron sp.
There are over 30 species of Rhododendron native to North America, and one is bound to be native to your locality. And, pretty much all of them are very fragrant. Easy to grow as long as moisture is present, evergreen, and absolutely beautiful these native shrubs are an easy sell!
Spicebush
Ah, the Spicebush, what can I say? Unlike many plants on this list the Spicebush shrub isn’t known for it’s fragrant flowers, as they are quite tiny with no noticeable scent. But more for it’s fragrant leaves, berries, and even new growth twigs. I’ve written a ton on this plant (and made a great video too), and I highly recommend this plant for a residential landscape.
Sweet Goldenrod
This native goldenrod is special in several ways. First, unlike most of it’s cousins, Sweet Goldenrod doesn’t spread via underground rhizomes. Second, it is compact making it very landscape friendly. And third, and the reason for it’s presence on this list is that it has a wonderful aroma! Both the flowers and leaves have a aroma like black licorice. These have been used in tea and medicinally for centuries.
Both the leaves and flowers of Sweet Goldenrod have a nice aroma that is quite similar to black licorice. And this aroma has made it popular for potpourri or tea for centuries.
Sweet Pepperbush
A lover of moist but well-draining soil, Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) can fill a void in many gardens in that it will bloom in dense shade during Summer, which is after most other deciduous shade-tolerant shrubs. But the flowers are very fragrant and do an excellent job attracting bees. Now, be aware that in optimum conditions it can sucker, so it may require a bit of pruning to keep it contained to a certain size. The overall size typically gets 5-10′ tall though at maturity.
Sweetshrub
Also known as Carolina Allspice, Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) is renowned for it’s fragrant blooms. Highly adaptable from full sun to full shade, the key growing condition to watch for is that this soil should drain well. The one point about this is that it is suckering, so will require Spring pruning to keep it sized how you want it. Alternatively you could just let it form a natural hedge!
Wild Rose (Rosa sp)
There are a large number of native wild roses across North America, and all have a typical rose fragrance. Some of the more common species would be Carolina Wild Rose, Arkansas Rose, and Early Wild Rose. All of these are fairly deer resistant due to their thorns, which are a contrast to their sweet aroma.
Sweetbay Magnolia
A small tree (typically), Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) is semi-evergreen and grows 10-30′ tall. Native from New Jersey to Texas along the coastal regions, it grows best in full sun to part-shade in moist to wet acidic soils with plenty of organic matter. So, it could be a good choice to grow next to a pond, water feature, or low spot.
Find more native plants here
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