9 Best Fragrant Flowers For Small Gardens That Don’t Overwhelm

I’ve often mentioned my love for fragrance in the garden. To me, it just enhances even the visual experience for some reason. For many people, the fragrance may be icing on the cake, but for me, it’s a part of it. 

Regardless of my passion for fragrance, however, there can often be times when certain flowers give off too much fragrance, and then it just comes this overwhelming mess you want to get away from. 

In this article, we’ll go over a curated list of fragrant flowers that don’t overwhelm and are perfect for small gardens. Let’s dive deep into it! 

How To Choose Fragrant Plants For Small Spaces?

If you’re wondering what to look for in plants to make the most fragrant choice for your tiny garden, here are some factors worth considering: 

Fragrant Flowers That Suit Small Gardens Perfectly

1: Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia Maritima)

Like the name suggests, sweet alyssums have this honey-like sweet scent that just hugs the garden. It blooms from spring to fall with minimal care and is ideal for edging pots, beds, or path borders. 

2: Dianthus (Pinks) 

Dianthus offers a clove-like aroma from compact plants that grow best in containers or low borders. If you want a longer bloom time, deadhead your dianthus regularly. 

3: English Lavender (‘Munstead’ Or ‘Hidcote’)

English lavender offers a clean, calming scent with silvery foliage. It needs full sun and relatively dry soil to thrive, making it a suitable choice for small hedges or terracotta pots that provide flexibility and good drainage. 

4: Viola Odorata (Sweet Violet)

Sweet violets offer a delicate, powdery scent that just captivates the nose in an amazingly unique way. It’s low-growing, easy to maintain thanks to its self-sowing habit, and ideal for planting under taller plants or shrubs.

5: Nemesia

Nemesia flowers offer an almost fruity scent with vanilla or coconut undertones. Their compact size makes them perfect for containers or window boxes. They perform exceptionally well in the spring and fall. 

6: Stock (Matthiola Incana)

Stock offers a strong, nighttime fragrance that will pleasantly surprise you if you ever decide to take a stroll in your garden in the dark. This flower grows upright and has a tidy growth habit, making it a solid option for early containers.

7: Freesia (In Pots)

Freesias are ideal for growing in small to medium-sized pots. They are grown from bulbs in containers, offering a spicy, citrus scent and bright trumpet-shaped blooms. 

The only two things you might need to worry about with freesias are strong winds and overwatering, as they’re quite sensitive to both.  

8: Heliotrope (‘Cherry Pie Plant’)

Heliotropes offer a deep, vanilla-like aroma. They grow bushy but compact, typically needing full sun and consistent moisture for complete development. 

9: Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)

Creeping phlox is a low-growing perennial that forms a vibrant carpet of pink, purple, or white blooms in early spring. Its soft, sweet fragrance is noticeable up close, making it perfect for small gardens, edging, or containers. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.

Easy Tips For Designing A Fragrant Garden That Feels Balanced

Let’s Conclude

No matter how many times I say it, the truth is that fragrant plants are a necessity in every garden. Too many times I visit somebody’s garden, and it’s beautiful as heck, but lacking all the aromas that would complete the picture. 

The unique floral aromas are a part of gardening, and it’s high time people recognize that and give fragrant plants the love and credit they deserve. Since you’ve read this article all the way, I’m assuming you aspire to do just that. So, take action and elevate your garden to another level today!