A beautiful garden isn’t just about looks—it’s also about scent. Flowers with sweet or spicy aromas can turn your outdoor space into a peaceful retreat that smells as good as it looks. And if you’re hoping to enjoy those fragrant blooms sooner rather than later, you’ll want flowers that grow quickly.
To help you get started, gardening experts have shared their top picks for fast-growing, sweet-smelling flowers. These selections bloom quickly and bring a burst of scent and color to your garden in no time.
1. Oriental Lilies (Lilium orientalis)
Oriental lilies are famous for their large, trumpet-shaped blooms in rich shades of pink, white, yellow, and red. These flowers fill the air with a powerful, sweet perfume and are perfect for cutting and arranging indoors. Just be sure to remove their pollen anthers to avoid stains and help the blooms last longer in vases.
- Zones: 5–9
- Size: 3–6 feet tall, 1–2 feet wide
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained
2. Stock (Matthiola incana)
Stock flowers grow upright with clusters of soft blooms in pastel and jewel tones. Their fragrance is warm and spicy, combining clove and vanilla notes that grow stronger at night. These flowers also last well in vases thanks to their strong stems.
- Zones: 7–10
- Size: 1–3 feet tall, 1–2 feet wide
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained
3. Plantain Lily (Hosta plantaginea)
Plantain lilies bloom later in the season than other hostas, showing off large white trumpet-like flowers that smell like honeysuckle. The flowers open in late summer and are most fragrant at night.
- Zones: 3–9
- Size: 1–2 feet tall, 3–4 feet wide
- Sunlight: Full to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained, compost-rich
4. Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
Sweet peas are climbing plants with delicate, frilly petals. They offer a strong, sweet scent often compared to orange blossoms. With their long stems, sweet peas are ideal for bouquets and grow quickly in well-drained soil.
- Zones: 3–8
- Size: 4–6 feet tall, 2–3 feet wide
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Rich and well-drained
5. Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)
Snapdragons produce tall spikes of colorful blooms shaped like dragon mouths. Their scent is mild but pleasant, with a mix of sweet and spicy tones, especially in warm weather. These flowers last a long time after cutting.
- Zones: 7–10
- Size: 1–3 feet tall, 6–12 inches wide
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-drained
6. Freesia (Freesia spp.)
Freesia plants offer small, trumpet-shaped flowers in bright colors. Their fresh, citrusy fragrance is strong and long-lasting, both in the garden and in vases.
- Zones: 9–10
- Size: 12–18 inches tall, 6–12 inches wide
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-drained
7. Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Garden phlox is known for its sweet, slightly spicy fragrance. The flowers bloom in summer in bold shades like pink, red, white, and purple, and are loved by bees and butterflies.
- Zones: 4–8
- Size: 2–4 feet tall, 1–2 feet wide
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained
8. Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender is a classic garden favorite with its tiny purple or blue flowers and silvery-green leaves. Its strong herbal scent is often used in oils and dried flower arrangements.
- Zones: 5–9
- Size: 1–3 feet tall, 1–3 feet wide
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Sandy and well-drained
9. Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)
Bee balm is a bright, whimsical flower that attracts bees and hummingbirds. Its blooms come in red, pink, purple, or white, and give off a light scent with hints of mint and citrus.
- Zones: 3–9
- Size: 2–4 feet tall, 2–3 feet wide
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Moist, well-drained
10. Dianthus (Dianthus spp.)
Dianthus flowers, also called “pinks,” are known for their spicy, clove-like scent. They bloom in a range of colors and patterns, from pink to red to white, and are perfect for borders and rock gardens.
- Zones: 3–9
- Size: 6–18 inches tall, 12–18 inches wide
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-drained
11. Hyacinths (Hyacinthus spp.)
Hyacinths bloom in early to mid-spring with tightly packed, fragrant flowers in many bright colors. Their strong perfume is perfect for placing near doors, windows, or in containers.
- Zones: 4–8
- Size: 8–12 inches tall, 3–6 inches wide
- Sunlight: Full to partial sun
- Soil: Fertile, well-drained
12. Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus)
Sweetshrub is a lesser-known but wonderful plant with reddish-brown flowers and a unique fruity fragrance, like melon or pineapple. It’s native to North America and blooms in mid-spring.
- Zones: 4–9
- Size: 6–10 feet tall, 6–12 feet wide
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Moist, well-drained
Conclusion
Creating a fragrant garden doesn’t have to take years. These fast-growing flowers will not only fill your space with color but also surround you with delightful scents. Whether you prefer sweet, spicy, citrusy, or herbal aromas, you’ll find something on this list to love. Plant a few today, and enjoy a garden that smells as lovely as it looks—sooner than you think.
