What Is the Sweetest Flower?

Fragrant Flowering Trees

• American witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana L.) is a multi-stemmed, small tree that presents brilliant yellow, sweet- and spicy-scented flowers. The hardy tree reaches a height of 20 to 30 feet and a width of 15 to 20 at maturity. Six- to 8-inch long, ovate leaves are a dark green on top with a paler green underside. The leaf margin is toothed and waxy. After the deciduous tree drops its leaves in the fall, brilliant yellow clusters of flowers are displayed. Native to eastern North America, the plant can be found from the Great Lakes to East Texas, from Nova Scotia to Florida. American witchhazel grows in shaded areas at the edge of woodlands, preferring moist, nutrient-rich soils. Witchhazel (Hamamelis mollis) also displays a highly aromatic, spicy-scented flower. Planted as ornamental, fragrant trees, Amur maple (Acer tartaricum ssp ginnala), Mt. Etna broom (Genista aetnensis), Japanese apricots (Prunus mume), yellowwood (Cladrastis lutea) and lindens (Tilia cordata) provide spring flowers, summer greenery and winter interest in the landscape.

Scented Shrubs

• Buddleia (Buddleia davidii) also known as the butterfly bush or summer lilac, exhibits bright pink, purple, red or white flowers. The highly fragrant flowers attract bees, butterflies and moths to the garden. Buddleia is a deciduous shrub that grows to a height of 5 to 10 feet at maturity. The leaves are 4 to 10 inches in length and 1 to 3 inches wide. The sweet-scented shrub grows well in United States hardiness zones 5 through 10. Sweet aromatic flowering shrubs include the fruity-scented banana shrub (Michelia figo), the clove-scented buffalo currant (Ribes odoratum), Japanese pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira), lilacs (Syringa) and the long-blooming evergreen gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides).

Flowering Perennials

• Night phlox (Zaluzianskya ovata) is a low-growing ground cover that is especially fragrant at night. The plant forms clumps 1 to 2 feet in width. Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera) presents sweet-smelling small white flowers. Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) is prized for its sweet scent. Shade-tolerant woodland phlox exhibits small, highly fragrant blooms. Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) grows well in United States hardiness zones 2 through 8. Highly fragrant bearded dwarf iris (Iris reticulata) attracts visitors to the garden with its strong, sweet fragrance and brightly colored flowers.

Sweet Smelling Annuals

• Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa) is an extremely fragrant flower that grows as an annual in cool climates and as a perennial bulb in United States hardiness zones 8 through 10. Mignonette (Reseda odorata) presents a powerful vanilla/raspberry scent, attracting bees and beneficial insects to the garden. Stock (Matthiola incana) flourishes in cool climates, presenting a very sweet, clove-like fragrance. Virginia stock (Malcolmia maritima) also prefers cool weather. The plant exhibits vivid, highly fragrant red or purple flowers.