There’s something incredibly soothing about stepping into a garden that smells just as beautiful as it looks.
The gentle scent of herbs and blooms drifting on the breeze can lift your mood, stir memories, and even help you unwind after a long day. It’s a simple joy, but one that never gets old.
If you’re dreaming of an aromatic backyard retreat, these common herbs and flowers are a great place to start. Most of them are easy to grow and take care of themselves once established.
Even if you’re short on time or space, you can row many of these in pots or small beds. Let’s fill your garden with sweet, spicy, citrusy, and calming scents that bloom through the seasons.
#1 Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm has a zesty, lemony scent that instantly refreshes the air around it. It’s part of the mint family, so it spreads easily and grows quickly.
Plant it in full sun to partial shade and trim it back often to keep it bushy. It makes lovely herbal teas too. Crush a few leaves between your fingers, and you’ll see why it’s a favorite in relaxing gardens.
#2 Thyme
Thyme is a small, woody herb that offers more than just flavor. Its earthy scent is strong and a bit sweet, especially when brushed against.
You can tuck it between stones in a walkway or grow it in a small pot. Give it full sun and well-drained soil. It also blooms tiny pink or purple flowers that attract bees and butterflies.
#3 Mint
Mint is wildly aromatic and instantly recognizable. Its crisp scent perks up any space, and it grows like a champ once it takes off.
It does best in partial sun and moist soil, but it can take some shade too. Consider planting it in a container so it doesn’t take over your garden. You’ll love plucking a leaf or two for tea or lemonade.
#4 Basil
Fresh basil has a spicy, clove-like scent with a hint of sweetness. The aroma intensifies when the leaves are warmed by the sun.
Grow it in rich soil and give it full sun. Pinch the tops regularly to encourage more leaves. It’s a perfect herb to grow near your kitchen door for easy harvest.
#5 Rosemary
Rosemary smells warm, woody, and slightly piney, especially when you run your fingers through it. This hardy shrub thrives in dry, sunny spots and even doubles as a decorative hedge.
Water it sparingly and let the soil dry out between soakings. It also helps repel insects, making it useful near patios and garden beds.
#6 Marjoram
Marjoram offers a sweet, mild fragrance similar to oregano, but less sharp. It’s often used in cooking, but it also works beautifully in fragrant borders.
Plant it in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Trim it back to keep it tidy and encourage fresh growth. This herb is a quiet gem in any aromatic garden.
#7 Gardenia
Gardenias are pure elegance, with glossy green leaves and creamy white blooms that fill the air with a rich, sweet scent. They love humidity, partial shade, and slightly acidic soil.
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. If you treat them well, they’ll bloom repeatedly and fill your space with perfume-like fragrance.
#8 Chamomile
Chamomile brings gentle charm with its small daisy-like flowers and soft apple-like scent. It prefers cool weather and well-drained soil.
Grow it in full sun and harvest the flowers for calming tea. Even brushing past it releases a lovely, soothing aroma that makes the garden feel peaceful.
#9 Bay Laurel
Bay Laurel has bold, aromatic leaves often used in cooking. It’s a slow-growing shrub or small tree that’s easy to grow in pots.
Place it in a sunny area and water when the top inch of soil feels dry. You can snip off leaves as needed for cooking or just enjoy its clean, spicy scent year-round.
#10 Roses
Roses are the classic fragrance flower, with a scent that ranges from soft and sweet to deep and musky depending on the variety.
Choose old-fashioned or heirloom types for the strongest aroma. Plant in full sun with rich, well-draining soil. Water at the base and prune as needed to keep blooms coming.
#11 Lavender
Lavender is a favorite in any aromatic garden with its calming scent and purple-blue blooms. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
Trim it after blooming to keep its shape and encourage more flowers. You can also dry the blossoms for sachets or homemade oils.
#12 Scented Geraniums
Scented Geraniums don’t always have showy blooms, but their leaves release fantastic scents like lemon, rose, mint, or even chocolate. They grow well in containers and prefer full sun to partial shade.
Water moderately and pinch them back to keep them compact. Rubbing the leaves is like getting a burst of natural fragrance in your hand.
#13 Sweet Autumn Clematis
Sweet Autumn Clematis puts on a show in late summer with clusters of small, star-shaped white flowers that smell like vanilla. It’s a vigorous climber, so give it a trellis or fence to grow on.
Plant in sun to part shade and water regularly until established. This one’s a real showstopper and fills the air with scent as fall approaches.
#14 Jasmine
Jasmine is loved for its strong, sweet scent that becomes even more intense at night. It climbs and twines beautifully along fences or trellises. Grow it in full sun and keep the soil moist. Its aroma is deeply relaxing, perfect for evenings outdoors or near a bedroom window.
#15 Dianthus
Dianthus has cheerful flowers with a clove-like fragrance that’s both spicy and floral. It grows best in sunny spots with well-drained soil.
Deadhead to encourage more blooms and trim back after flowering. You’ll find it in shades of pink, red, and white, all with that signature sweet scent.
#16 Oriental Lily
Oriental Lilies are bold and beautiful, with large, speckled flowers and a powerful perfume. They bloom in mid-to-late summer and love full sun to partial shade.
Plant the bulbs in rich, well-drained soil and water when the top inch feels dry. Their scent fills the entire area, making them perfect for planting near walkways or patios.
#17 Nicotiana
Nicotiana, also known as flowering tobacco, offers long tubular flowers in pink, white, or red. Its fragrance becomes most noticeable in the evening.
Grow it in full sun or light shade and keep the soil evenly moist. It’s a great addition to moon gardens or nighttime seating areas.
#18 Calendula
Calendula brings a soft, herbal scent and bright golden blooms to your garden. It’s an annual that blooms generously and attracts pollinators, too.
Grow it in full sun with moderate watering. You can also use the petals in salves and teas.
#19 Juniper
Juniper gives off a spicy, pine-like scent that brings a woodsy note to your garden. It’s a great option for hedges or low-maintenance areas.
Plant it in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it needs very little attention, just the occasional pruning to shape.