20 Best Fragrant Southern Plants For Your Garden

Climbing Roses

Botanical Name: Rosa setigera
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, Rich, Loamy
Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5)

The South's love affair with roses continues to evolve. We prize them for their intoxicating fragrance and the myriad shapes, sizes, and colors of their blossoms. But the ways we use them in our gardens have changed. Gone are the days of lining out scores of roses with name tags at the foot of each one like grave markers in a cemetery. People now want roses that solve problems, perform functions, combine well with other plants, and don't demand round-the-clock attention.

02 of 20

Wisteria

Botanical Name: Wisteria
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, Moist
Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral (6.0-7.0)

One day, this plant might gobble up the South. Though it's exceptionally vigorous and some types are invasive, people keep planting it in their gardens. They can't resist its lovely white or purple blooms. Each spring, long clusters of pea-shaped flowers hang from trees, arbors, or anything else the vine can reach. If you must plant wisteria, you may want to purchase American wisteria (W. frutescens). This native is not as aggressive as Chinese wisteria (W. sinensis) or Japanese wisteria (W. floribunda). Fragrant American wisteria is native to the South, from Virginia to Florida and Texas.

03 of 20

Sweet Autumn Clematis

Botanical Name: Clematis terniflora
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, Moist
Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral (6.0-7.0)

Tall and vigorous (some say rampant), sweet autumn clematis produces billowy masses of one-inch wide, fragrant, creamy white flowers in late summer and fall. This aromatic, twining vine is excellent for a privacy screen or arbor cover. Expect to see blooms from late summer through the middle of autumn.

04 of 20

Moonflower

Botanical Name: Ipomoea alba
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, Moist
Soil pH: Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline (6.0-7.5)

The fast-growing moonflower provides quick shade for an arbor, trellis, or fence. It's luxuriantly clothed in heart-shaped leaves that grow up to eight inches long. It blooms from early summer until fall, showing off fragrant, six-inch, funnel-shaped blossoms after sundown and into the night. Flowers also will open on cloudy or dark days.

05 of 20

Four o'Clock

Botanical Name: Mirabilis jalapa
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, Rich
Soil pH: Acidic, Neutral (6.0-7.0)

This super-fragrant perennial looks more like a shrub. It has a bushy habit and will grow three to four feet tall and wide. In the Upper South, treat this plant as an annual. Four o'clock flowers begin to bloom in midsummer and will flower until the first frost. The trumpet-shaped blooms are fuchsia, yellow, or white, with variations of shades. They open in mid-afternoon and stay open all night. Plant them close to a patio, where you can enjoy their fragrance in the evening.

06 of 20

Asiatic Lily

Botanical Name: Lilium auratum
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, Sandy, Loamy
Soil pH: Acidic, Neutral (6.5-7.0)

Asiatic Lilies bloom from midsummer to early fall, with large (up to nine inches), fragrant flowers of white or pink, often spotted with gold and shaded or banded with red. Grow lilies in containers while they're blooming. You can bring them close to the house for fragrance where you want it.

07 of 20

Gardenia

Botanical Name: Gardenia jasminoides
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, Rich
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-6.5)

This classic Southern shrub looks ordinary most of the year, but in early summer, its pearly white buds unfurl to resemble twirled seashells. Gardenia buds transform into thick, waxy flowers, and the blooms release an intoxicating aroma that can perfume an entire garden. You might have to work a little to keep gardenias insect free, but their wonderful aroma is worth the fuss.

08 of 20

Carolina Jessamine

Botanical Name: Gelsemium sempervirens
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, Moist, Rich
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-6.8)

This native vine appears everywhere across the South yet remains rather inconspicuous until early spring when it bursts forth with bright yellow blooms. Small funnel-shaped flowers team up to produce a sweet perfume. Jessamine is the state flower of South Carolina and works well in the home landscape to cover fences and climb arbors or other overhead structures. Don't plant near children's play areas because all parts of the plant are poisonous. It prefers full sun or partial shade. Those set in dense shade will not bloom well.

09 of 20

Star Jasmine

Confederate Jasmine — Diane MacDonald / Getty Images

Botanical Name: Trachelospermum jasminoides
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, Moist, Loamy
Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral (6.0-7.0)

This evergreen vine is sometimes referred to as star jasmine because of the shape of its white blooms. The sweet-smelling flowers encircle mailboxes, trellises, arbors, and fences in summer. The versatile vine also works well as a ground cover. It will grow in the sun or shade and performs best in moist, well-drained soil. Star Jasmine is not hardy in the Upper South and parts of the Middle South.

10 of 20

Winter Daphne

Botanical Name: Daphne odora
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral (6.0-7.0)

Despite its unpredictable behavior, Winter Daphne continues to thrive because of its prized floral perfume. Even with the most attentive care, this flower can flourish or wilt at a whim. Characterized by nosegay clusters of charming, intensely fragrance, Winter Daphne flowers are pink to deep red on the outside, with creamy pink throats that appear at branch ends in winter.

11 of 20

Butterfly Bush

Botanical Name: Buddleja davidii
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, Moist
Soil pH: Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline (6.0-7.5)

Colorful spring or summer flowers, sweet fragrance, attractiveness to butterflies, and easy care make these shrubs extremely popular. The vast majority of butterfly bushes sold are selections of B. davidii, but many other species are highly ornamental and deserve their fair share of attention. Most types prefer full sun, fertile, moist, well-drained soil, and not browsed by deer. Removing spent flowers extends bloom.

12 of 20

Winter Honeysuckle

Botanical Name: Lonicera fragrantissima
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, Moist, Rich
Soil pH: Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline (5.5-8.0)

Winter Honeysuckle is a longtime favorite of Southern gardeners, with arching, rather stiff growth to eight feet tall and at least as wide. Creamy white, two-lipped flowers bloom in late winter and early spring and are sweetly fragrant but not showy. Use it on a clipped hedge or as a background plant. Bring budded branches indoors to bloom.

13 of 20

Ginger Lily

Botanical Name: Hedychium coronarium
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, Moist, Rich
Soil pH: Acidic, Neutral (5.5-7.0)

Native to India and tropical Asia, these old Southern favorites combine handsome foliage with showy, often deliciously fragrant flowers. Rich green, alternate leaves ascend stems growing from stout rhizomes. In late summer or early fall, blossoms in dense spikes open from cones of overlapping bracts at the ends of stalks. Ginger Lilies are evergreen in the Tropical South and deciduous elsewhere. Use them in borders or grow in containers. Southern specialty growers offer dozens of species and selections in heights from 29 feet, in colors ranging from white and cream through pink to red and a host of yellow, orange, and salmon shades.

14 of 20

Southern Magnolia

Botanical Name: Magnolia grandiflora
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, Moist, Rich, Loamy
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-6.0)

Pure white blooms that age to buff characterize Southern Magnolias. The flowers are large (eight to 10 inches across) and fragrant. Southern magnolias attract birds. Choose the selection carefully because some classic Southern magnolias may reach 80 feet tall when mature. But others, such as 'Little Gem,' slowly climb to a petite 20 feet. A named selection ensures the characteristics you require.

15 of 20

Thorny Elaeagnus

Botanical Name: Elaeagnus pungens
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, Moist
Soil pH: Acidic, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline (6.0-7.5)

This evergreen shrub has a relatively rigid, sprawling, angular habit.Long, naked shoots, some of them 56 feet long, tend to skyrocket off in all directions, creating a Medusa-like appearance. Fortunately, you can prune these shoots (flower arrangers prize them) to give the shrub a neater look. It also can be sheared into a nice hedge. Tiny, fragrant, cream-colored blossoms appear in fall.

16 of 20

Wintersweet

Botanical Name: Chimonanthus praecox
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, Moist
Soil pH: Acidic, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline (6.0-8.0)

Wintersweet's spicy-scented blossoms appear on leafless branches in winter or early spring and may last for more than a month if not hit by a hard frost. In the Upper South, plant in a sheltered site to prevent frost damage. In all areas, plant so you can enjoy the winter fragrance, such as near an entrance or path or under a bedroom window.

17 of 20

Camellia

Botanical Name: Camellia japonica
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, Moist, Organic
Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5)

Camellias have beautiful showy blooms and also emit a wonderful fragrance. This delicate flower can grow up to four inches wide and up to three feet in height. These flowers are early bloomers, sometimes arriving during the winter. Find Camellias in shades of pink, red, and white.

18 of 20

Angel's Trumpet

Botanical Name: Brugmansia candida
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, Rich
Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral (5.5-7.0)

Depending on the variety, Angel's Trumpet blooms in the spring, summer, or autumn seasons. This flower gets its name from its unique downward hanging appearance, often extending up to eight inches long. Find this flower in various colors, including yellow, scarlet, and white. Plus, Angel's Trumpet blooms in the evenings, releasing a sweet scent you can enjoy all night.

19 of 20

Lilac

Botanical Name: Syringa vulgaris
Sun Exposure: Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, Moist, Organic
Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral (6.5-7.0)

Lilac emits a sweet-smelling fragrance, which is why gardeners love to grow it in containers near their homes. These small shrubs are hardy, suitable for cutting and attract pollinators such as butterflies. Look for blooms in the middle or late spring in the traditional lilac or in the unique varieties that feature white, cream, pink, or yellow flowers.

20 of 20

Hyacinth

Botanical Name: genus Hyacinthus
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, Moist, Rich
Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral (5.8-7.0)

Hyacinths are easy-to-grow perennials that appear early in spring, similar to daffodils. Expect to see one flower for every bulb you plant, extending up to 10 inches tall. Occasionally, additional flower clusters will sprout. If your Hyacinths are struggling to remain upright, using a bamboo garden stake can help these sweet, delicate flowers to stay in place.

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