Imagine stepping into your backyard and being enveloped by a symphony of fragrances, each wafting from a carefully chosen tree. A well-planned garden not only delights the eyes but can also entice the nose, creating a multi-sensory oasis outside your door.
Studies have shown that exposure to nature and pleasant scents can significantly reduce stress levels and improve overall well-being¹.
But with countless tree options available, how do you select the perfect aromatic additions for your outdoor space? Here are 10 trees horticultural experts recommended that will transform your backyard into a fragrant paradise.
1. Lilac (Syringa spp.)
Lilacs are a beloved classic for a reason. These deciduous shrubs or small trees are known for their intoxicating fragrance filling the spring air. With hundreds of varieties available, you can choose from various colors, including white, pink, purple, and even bi-color blooms.
Some notable varieties include ‘Maiden’s Blush,’ which blooms earlier than most and has fluffy, fragrant flowers, and ‘Beauty of Moscow,’ a double-flowered cultivar with a two-tone pink and white color.
When selecting a lilac, purchase them when they bloom to ensure you get the desired fragrance. Plant them in a sunny spot with well-draining soil for optimal growth and flowering.
Lilacs are hardy in USDA zones 3-7, making them a reliable choice for many regions.
2. Crabapple (Malus spp.)
Crabapple trees are not only visually stunning with their attractive fall foliage and colorful spring blooms, but they also offer a delightful fragrance. Their sweet, slightly spicy scent has been compared to a mix of apple, cinnamon, and clove.
For their exceptional fragrance, the recommended varieties are ‘Robinson,’ ‘Sweet Sugar Tyme,’ and ‘Profusion.’
To ensure abundant blooms and a strong scent, plant your crabapple tree in a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
Crabapples are adaptable to various soil types but prefer well-draining conditions. With proper care, these trees will reward you with a spectacular display of fragrant flowers each spring.
3. Fringe Tree (Chionanthus spp.)
The fringe tree, also known as the greybeard tree, is a lesser-known gem that deserves a spot in scented gardens. Native to the eastern United States, this small tree features unique, white, streamer-like blossoms that emit a wonderful fragrance.
The delicate flowers appear in late spring to early summer, creating a stunning display against the tree’s dark green foliage.
Fringe trees are adaptable and can thrive in various light conditions, from full sun to partial shade. They prefer moist, well-draining soil and are relatively low-maintenance once established.
In addition to their fragrant flowers, fringe trees offer attractive yellow foliage in the fall, adding multi-season interest to your landscape.
4. Korean Spice Viburnum (Viburnum carlesii)
If you’re looking for a shrub that packs a fragrant punch, look no further than the Korean spice viburnum. This deciduous shrub is considered one of the most fragrant plants available, with a spicy, sweet, vanilla-like scent that carries across the yard.
In spring, the plant is covered in dense, white, snowball-like flower heads that are irresistible to humans and pollinators.
Korean spice viburnum prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. It is a slow-growing shrub that typically reaches 6-8 feet tall and wide, making it a great choice for smaller spaces.
For a more compact option, consider varieties like ‘Cayuga’ or ‘Spice Baby’, which offer the same incredible fragrance in a smaller package.
5. Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Southern magnolias are iconic trees of the South, known for their large, glossy leaves and magnificent, fragrant white flowers. The blooms, which can reach up to 12 inches in diameter, have a lemony scent most potent in the evening.
Southern magnolias are evergreen, providing year-round interest with their dark green foliage and attractive brown seed pods.
These stately trees can grow up to 80 feet tall and 40 feet wide, requiring ample space to reach their full potential.
They thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer moist, acidic, well-draining soil. They are best suited for USDA zones 7-9 and make a stunning addition to larger landscapes.
6. Fragrant Tea Olive (Osmanthus fragrans)
The fragrant tea olive is a small evergreen tree or large shrub prized for its powerfully scented flowers. In fall, the plant is covered in small, white, trumpet-shaped blooms that emit a sweet, apricot-like fragrance.
The scent is so strong that it can be detected from a distance, making it a great choice for planting near patios or walkways.
Fragrant tea olives are adaptable to various soil types but prefer well-draining conditions. Once established, they can tolerate full sun to partial shade and are relatively drought-tolerant.
These plants are best suited for USDA zones 7-11 and make excellent hedges, screens, or specimen plants in the landscape.
7. Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata)
If you love the fragrance of lilacs but want a larger, more tree-like form, consider the Japanese tree lilac. This small to medium-sized tree features creamy white, fragrant flower panicles in late spring to early summer, well after most other lilacs have finished blooming.
The flowers’ sweet scent can be enjoyed from a distance, making this tree stand out in the landscape.
Japanese tree lilacs are easy to grow and rarely bothered by pests or diseases. They prefer full sun to partial shade and average, moist, well-drained soil. ‘Ivory Silk’ is a popular cultivar known for its abundant blooms and attractive reddish-brown bark on younger stems.
For a variety with larger, darker green leaves, consider Snowdance™ Japanese tree lilac.
8. Fragrant Snowball (Viburnum x carlcephalum)
The fragrant snowball is a deciduous shrub that combines the best features of its parent plants, the Korean spice viburnum and the Chinese snowball viburnum. In spring, the plant is covered in large, white, snowball-like flower heads with a spicy, clove-like fragrance.
The scent is often compared to a carnation, making it a favorite among gardeners.
Fragrant snowballs prefer full sun to partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. They typically reach 6-10 feet tall and wide, making them a great choice for shrub borders or as specimen plants.
Prune immediately after flowering to maintain the plant’s shape and promote healthy growth.
9. Sweet Bay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)
The sweet bay magnolia is a smaller, more compact alternative to the Southern Magnolia, making it an excellent choice for gardens with limited space. This evergreen tree features creamy white, cup-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer.
The flowers have a lemony scent most pronounced in the evening, and can be enjoyed from a distance.
Sweet bay magnolias are adaptable to various soil types but prefer moist, acidic conditions. They can tolerate full sun to partial shade and are relatively pest-resistant. These trees are native to the eastern United States and are best suited for USDA zones 5-9. In colder regions, they can be grown as large shrubs with multiple stems.
10. Fragrant Abelia (Abelia mosanensis)
Fragrant abelia is a lesser-known deciduous shrub that deserves more attention for its sweet, jasmine-like fragrance. In late spring to early summer, the plant is covered in clusters of small, white, tubular flowers that emit a delightful scent.
The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds, adding an extra layer of interest to your garden.
Fragrant abelias prefer full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. They are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate a range of soil types. These shrubs typically reach 4-6 feet tall and wide, making them a great choice for foundation plantings or as a low hedge. Prune after flowering to maintain the plant’s shape and promote healthy growth.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.