With the evenings gradually getting lighter, it’s lovely to be able to extend the time we spend outside. To make the garden feel more magical after dark, fragrant flowers must be included, and there are plenty of night-scented flowering plants that can be added to the garden now.
Create a fragrant garden It also looks beautiful, depending on choosing the right plants that will thrive in your garden. “The night-scented garden carries the beauty of the day seamlessly into the evening, filling the air with fragrance on summer nights,” says Julien Palframond, Head of Plant. British Garden Centres. ‘With the right fragrant plants in the right places, your outdoor space can become a sanctuary after sunset that will smell even sweeter.’
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1. Star Jasmine
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Growing star jasmine A great way to create a scent wall that will smell incredible in the evening. ‘Star jasmine is a versatile evergreen vine, ideal for adding both privacy and fragrance to a garden pergola,’ says Shelly Davies, plant specialist. Flying Flowers. ‘Known for its distinctive star-like flowers and sophisticated aromas of vanilla and musky citrus, this Perennial A favorite for those looking to create a sensory seating area that also appeals to nectar-lovers hay Like bees and butterflies.’
‘Jasmine is a top choice for those who love a sweet, intense floral scent,’ agrees Emma Fell, head of horticulture. Hillier Garden Centres. Varieties like star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) or common jasmine (Jasminum officinale) bloom throughout the summer, filling the air with their delightful perfume. And climbing plants like these are ideal for trellises, pergolas or containers.’
While jasmine looks wonderful growing in a hedge to create a fragrant screen, you can grow it all around an obelisk. This A twin pack of decorative obelisks from Argos costs £16So you can create a symmetrical look in your garden, combined with a garden bench.
Where to Buy Star Jasmine:
Shop for plant support
Rusty Iron Hydrangea Obelisk
Extra strong arch framed willow trellis
2. Tuberose
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‘Another fragrance powerhouse is tuberose,’ says Shelley. ‘While the Mexican native requires frost protection, it repays the effort with a creamy, elegant and almost candy-like aroma.’
‘There’s a clever reason for its intensity: because these flowers bloom at night when colors are invisible, they rely on powerful scents detectable from meters away to guide their nocturnal pollinators through the dark.’
Plant tuberose bulbs in the spring after the last frost, either in the ground or yours Container garden ideas And plant in pots in a warm, sheltered location.
Where to buy Tuberose:
3. Night-scented stock
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During daylight, the stocks may look plain, but after dusk, their rich, clove-like scent is released into the air,’ says Julian. ‘Scatter seeds on patios, paths or under seating to enjoy their perfume up close.’
‘You can also stagger your plantings to maintain fragrance for months by planting a mix of annuals, perennials and climbers to ensure fragrance from late spring to early autumn.’
Where to buy night-scent stock:
4. Lavender
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A round-up of aromatic plants wouldn’t be complete without a recommendation to try Growing lavender In your garden borders or in pots on the patio.
‘Known for its clean, uplifting perfume, lavender is a garden classic that doubles as a natural stress reliever,’ says Shelley. ‘The fearless evergreen shrub keeps the garden smelling fresh all season long, and is widely regarded as one of the best plants for supporting native bee populations. It’s the perfect choice for anyone looking to combine aromatherapy benefits with a pollinator-friendly landscape.’
Emma agrees, ‘Lavender is renowned for its calming and fragrant scent, making it the perfect choice for patios and garden borders. Lavender thrives in well-drained soil and enjoys full sun, producing beautiful purple blooms that attract pollinators. Whether planted in a container or directly in the ground, lavender provides long-lasting fragrance throughout the warmer months.’
Where to Buy Lavender:
5. Fragrant geraniums
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‘Scented geraniums offer a variety of scents, from lemon to rose,’ suggests Emma. ‘Their leaves are strongly scented when touched, making them a great choice for patio pots where you can enjoy their fragrance up close. They thrive in well-drained soil and prefer a sunny spot.’
Wait until after the last frost before planting fragrant geraniums. They are ideal for planters, window boxes and a good choice for Hanging baskets If you prefer the latter variation. They will also look particularly stylish on an outdoor dining table A frilly terracotta pot like this Argos one for £20.
Where to buy fragrant geraniums:
6. Nicotiana
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Nicotiana is the ultimate companion for your patio, as its scent really intensifies as the sun goes down and Make your patio look gorgeous,’ says Shelley. ‘The longer you linger outdoors on those gentle evenings, the more you’ll be treated to its exquisite, jasmine-like perfume. For a truly immersive scent, the ‘Grandiflora’ species are best, while ‘Langsdorfii’ offers a more delicate, subtle scent for a light background breeze.’
‘Nicotiana (also known as tobacco plant) is a long-flowering annual whose trumpet-shaped flowers open in the evening, filling the air with a lily-like perfume until sunrise,’ says Julian. ‘Colours vary widely from green, pink, white and red, and in daylight, they provide a welcome splash of brightness while waiting to release their fragrance at night.’
Nicotiana thrives in full sun to partial shade and can be planted in them the bedBorders and containers, but wait until all danger of frost has passed.
Where to buy Nicotiana:
7. Evening primrose
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Julien suggests, ‘A true dusk-to-dawn performer, the evening primrose opens its sunny yellow flowers at night, releasing a sweet perfume that carries away. ‘Although yellow is the most well-known, there are also soft white and blush pink varieties. These blooms attract moths, which in turn help pollinate other plants in your garden.’
Evening primrose can grow to about 1 meter in height, making it ideal for beds and borders, positioned in the center or back of the border and in full sun to part shade.
Where to buy Evening Primrose:
8. Honeysuckle
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‘Loved for its sweet scent during the day, honeysuckle’s fragrance deepens at night,’ says Julien. Perfect for covering trellises, arches, pergolas or fences, it softens hard lines while providing nectar for moths. Colors range from creamy yellow to flush pink.’
‘When Growing honeysuckleI would always recommend placing your plants near patios, sitting areas, open windows, or paths you’ll use after dark, so their perfume will flow naturally. Combination Fast growing climbers Honeysuckle or star jasmine ensure fragrance delivery at various heights with low border favorites such as night phlox or dianthus.’
Where to buy honeysuckle:
Display your aromatic plants in style
accommodation
Scalloped 21cm Clay Planter
Plant some fragrant plants in decorative plant pots that can be scattered on outdoor coffee tables and dining tables.
Outsunny
3-Tier Metal Plant Stand
If you’re short on space, but want to add more fragrant plants to your garden (or balcony), a tiered plant stand will capitalize on the available vertical space.
Marco Paul
Rattan Cone 14in Garden Hanging Basket
Trailing plants are great fillers for hanging baskets, but can also be used to grow climbing plants to create a dramatic cascading effect.
Are you planning to plant any night-scented flowers in your garden this summer?
