Flowers do more than just brighten up your garden. They can also add a delightful fragrance to your outdoor space, creating a sensory experience that is truly special. If you love flowers but don’t have a lot of time to wait for them to bloom, fast-growing fragrant flowers are the perfect solution! These flowers can quickly fill your garden with both beauty and fragrance, even in just a few weeks or months.
In this article, we will explore 10 fast-growing fragrant flowers that will add both color and scent to your garden. Whether you’re new to gardening or have years of experience, these flowers are easy to grow and maintain. Let’s dive in!
Why Choose Fast-Growing Fragrant Flowers?
Before we dive into the list of flowers, let’s discuss why choosing fast-growing fragrant flowers is a great idea for your garden:
1. Quick Results
If you want to see results quickly, fast-growing flowers are a perfect choice. You won’t have to wait long to enjoy their beauty and scent.
2. Low Maintenance
Many fast-growing flowers are easy to care for, making them a great option for beginners. These flowers often thrive with minimal attention.
3. Fragrance
Fragrant flowers add a pleasing scent to your garden, making it a more enjoyable place to relax. Some flowers have strong scents that can even fill your entire yard.
4. Beautiful Blooms
Besides their fragrance, fast-growing flowers come in various colors and shapes, so you can easily find flowers that match your garden’s theme or style.
Now that we know why fast-growing fragrant flowers are a great choice, let’s take a look at the top 10 flowers you should plant!
1. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is one of the most popular fragrant flowers, known for its beautiful purple spikes and calming scent. It grows quickly and is relatively easy to maintain. Lavender thrives in full sunlight and well-drained soil.
- Height: 1–3 feet (30–90 cm)
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Watering Needs: Low (drought-tolerant once established)
- Fragrance: Sweet, calming scent
Why It’s Great: Lavender is a low-maintenance plant that can be used in herbal teas and even for homemade sachets. It also attracts bees and butterflies, making it a great addition to a pollinator-friendly garden.
2. Jasmine (Jasminum spp.)
Jasmine is a fragrant flowering plant that grows quickly and produces small, white or yellow flowers. The sweet scent of jasmine is known to be both uplifting and relaxing, and it’s commonly used in perfumes and essential oils.
- Height: 10–15 feet (3–4.5 meters) for vining varieties
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Watering Needs: Moderate (keep soil moist but not soggy)
- Fragrance: Strong, sweet fragrance
Why It’s Great: Jasmine can quickly cover trellises, fences, and arbors, creating a beautiful, fragrant wall of flowers. It’s perfect for gardeners with limited space but who still want a fragrant garden.
3. Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.)
Honeysuckle is another fast-growing flower that fills your garden with a sweet fragrance. This flowering vine grows quickly and produces clusters of small, tubular flowers in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, and red.
- Height: 6–12 feet (1.8–3.6 meters)
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Watering Needs: Moderate
- Fragrance: Sweet, nectar-like fragrance
Why It’s Great: Honeysuckle grows rapidly and attracts pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It’s great for covering fences, trellises, and walls.
4. Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
Sweet peas are vibrant, fragrant flowers that bloom quickly, making them perfect for gardeners who want an instant burst of color and fragrance. Their fragrance is sweet and strong, filling your garden with a pleasant scent.
- Height: 2–6 feet (0.6–1.8 meters)
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Watering Needs: Moderate (water regularly)
- Fragrance: Sweet, floral fragrance
Why It’s Great: Sweet peas are excellent for growing along fences, trellises, or in containers. They’re ideal for adding color and fragrance to your garden in early spring.
5. Roses (Rosa spp.)
Roses are timeless flowers that come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Some varieties, like old-fashioned roses, grow quickly and offer a beautiful fragrance. Roses are perfect for creating an aromatic garden.
- Height: 1–6 feet (0.3–1.8 meters), depending on variety
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Watering Needs: Moderate to high (keep soil moist)
- Fragrance: Strong, floral fragrance
Why It’s Great: Roses are a classic addition to any garden, and they grow quickly in the right conditions. Their stunning blooms and fragrance make them a favorite among gardeners.
6. Peonies (Paeonia spp.)
Peonies are well-known for their large, fluffy flowers and sweet, floral scent. They grow quickly in well-drained soil and full sun, and they’re a fantastic choice for gardeners who want both beauty and fragrance.
- Height: 2–3 feet (60–90 cm)
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Watering Needs: Moderate
- Fragrance: Sweet, floral fragrance
Why It’s Great: Peonies are low-maintenance, hardy perennials that return year after year. Their beautiful blooms and pleasant fragrance make them an attractive choice for gardens.
7. Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
Gardenias are known for their strong, sweet fragrance and large, white flowers. They’re fast-growing when planted in well-drained soil and can quickly add beauty and fragrance to any garden.
- Height: 3–6 feet (0.9–1.8 meters)
- Sunlight: Partial shade to full sun
- Watering Needs: Moderate to high (prefers moist, acidic soil)
- Fragrance: Sweet, citrus-like fragrance
Why It’s Great: Gardenias are perfect for planting in containers or flower beds where they can be sheltered from strong winds. They’re excellent for gardeners who want a fragrant flower that will bloom all season long.
8. Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris)
Lilacs are iconic flowering shrubs that grow quickly and produce fragrant flowers in shades of purple, white, and pink. They bloom in early spring and have a strong, sweet scent that fills the air.
- Height: 6–12 feet (1.8–3.6 meters)
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Watering Needs: Moderate
- Fragrance: Strong, sweet floral fragrance
Why It’s Great: Lilacs are hardy and easy to grow, making them a great choice for gardeners in colder climates. Their beautiful clusters of flowers and sweet fragrance make them a garden favorite.
9. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chamomile is a quick-growing herb that’s often used for its calming scent and medicinal properties. It’s easy to grow, and its small white flowers have a mild, apple-like fragrance.
- Height: 1–2 feet (30–60 cm)
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Watering Needs: Moderate
- Fragrance: Mild, apple-like fragrance
Why It’s Great: Chamomile is perfect for ground cover or planting along borders. It’s also a great option for gardeners looking to grow a fragrant herb that attracts beneficial insects.
Read More: 5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Planting Dahlias in Your Garden
10. Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)
Tuberose is an exotic, fast-growing flower known for its strong, sweet fragrance. It grows quickly in full sun and produces tall spikes of white, tubular flowers that bloom in late summer.
- Height: 2–4 feet (60–120 cm)
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Watering Needs: Moderate
- Fragrance: Intense, sweet floral fragrance
Why It’s Great: Tuberose flowers are beautifully fragrant and perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your garden. They also make wonderful cut flowers for bouquets.
How to Care for Fast-Growing Fragrant Flowers
To ensure your fragrant flowers grow well and bloom beautifully, here are some care tips:
- Provide Sunlight: Most fragrant flowers need full sun to thrive. Make sure they get at least 6–8 hours of sunlight daily.
- Water Regularly: While these flowers don’t like to be waterlogged, they still need regular watering, especially during dry spells.
- Fertilize Appropriately: Use a balanced fertilizer to provide essential nutrients, but avoid over-fertilizing, which can result in too much foliage and fewer blooms.
- Deadhead Flowers: Remove faded or dead flowers to encourage new blooms and improve the plant’s appearance.
- Prune Regularly: Prune your plants to remove any dead or damaged growth and to encourage healthy growth.
Conclusion
Fast-growing fragrant flowers are a wonderful addition to any garden, providing both beauty and a pleasant scent. Whether you’re looking to create a relaxing atmosphere in your backyard or add some color to your landscape, these flowers are perfect for gardeners of all skill levels. From lavender and honeysuckle to gardenia and tuberose, there are plenty of options to choose from.
By following the tips and care instructions, you can ensure that these flowers thrive and fill your garden with fragrance and color. So, get planting and enjoy the beauty and scent that fast-growing fragrant flowers bring to your garden!
