What flower gives the best scented aroma outside after it rains?

Question

I am planting flowers outside on my patio. My favorite scent is after it rain and there is this scented aroma that goes through my house. Can you give me the best flower that smells good outside even it it is not raining? Please, do not put roses. I always get that answer.

Answer 1

I also garden by fragrance. I have bought a number of books on this subject. 'A Garden of Fragrance' by Suzy Bales, 'The Scented Garden' by Rosemary Verey, and 'Scented Flora of the World' by Roy Genders are my favorites.
These are on my wish list
The Fragrant Year, Helen Van Pelt Wilson and Leonie Bell, c. 1967
Scent in Your Garden, Stephen Lacy, c. 1991
The Fragrant Garden, Louise Beebe Wilder, c. 1932 and reprinted 1974
Fragrance in Bloom, Ann Lovejoy, c. 1966


Alyssum maritimum like new mown hay but only in the old fashion white flowers
Cheiranthus ceiri or wallflowers to grow with bulbs Narcissus 'Actaea', 'Trevithian'
Dictamnus alba does not transplant easily but is worth it
Hesperis matronalis Dames violet I love this one but some people consider it ugly, so grow it behind the smell is worth it.
Reseda odorata mignonette a musky scent
Oriental lilies like the madonna lily, Lilium henryi
Angelica archangelica, self seeds
Heliotropium arborescens-Cherry Pie, Common Heliotrope
Fragrant pale to dark purple flowers in late spring
Four-o'clock Mirabilis jalapa and M. longiflora
Stock Matthiola incana
Hemerocallis 'Kathy Rood' from Dan Trimmer is by far the most fragrant daylily I know
Giant lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum) Towering 5-12 feet
Hostas only some varieties are strongly fragrant. 'Fragrant Bouquet' and 'Guacamole' are the ones I grow.



In fall Clerodendrum trichotomum Glorybower, Clematis ternifolia

In winter try Hamamelis mollis, I have 'Arnold's promis' as it is smaller than 'Jelena'.
Chimonanthus praecox Wintersweet can be harder to grow.
Carolina allspice or sweetshrub Calycanthus floridus

Leaves like Artemesia, borage, mint, eucalyptus, burnet, and pelargonium can be touched to release scents. Eriostemon myoporoides-Waxflower Fragrant dark green small leaves with a fresh scent when crushed.

For night blooms Daphne, Nicotiana, Oenothera Evening primrose, Mahonia Oregon grape (smells like lily of the valley in March), Night phlox Zaluzianskya ovata


Rhododendron varieties Most rhododendrons are not fragrant but there are a few varieties which are inclduing R. daviesii, R. 'Countell of Haddinton' and R. 'Fragrantissimum'.
Syringa vulgaris-Common Lilac
Viburnum x burkwoodii-Burkwood Viburnum
Darwinia citriodora-Lemon Scented Myrtle
Philadelphus-Mock Orange


I always bring in some Viola odorata in Feb & March with some Muscari botryoides.
I have found my favorites are the winter blooming plants and roses with lilies. I especially like clove scented roses.

One more set by food scent
Chocolate Cosmos Cosmos atrosanguineus
Berlandiera lyrata Chocolate-scented Daisy
Mentha piperita cv. 'Chocolate' Chocolate mint

Melianthus major Peanut butter dramatic shrub with large, blueish, serrated leaves
Banana shrub Michelia figo banana fragrant flowers
Sweet viburnum shrub Viburnum odoratissimum honeysuckle-smelling flowers but has leaves that smell like fried pork rinds

Answer 2

I have a few mints like spearmint,mountain mint,curly mint,catmint and lemon mint when it rains or the wind blows these plants smell so good , in the spring when they are just starting to come out you can still smell them. Now as far as perrennials go Lavender and Monardia smell just fantastic and I also have a plant called cuban oregino that I use as a houseplant during the winter and put it outside during the summer again it smells wonderful-I hope some of these plants will give you ideas but you have to be careful about the mints because they will take over a area in a very short period of time.

Answer 3

Gardenias are beautiful white flowers and the smell carries. They are fantastic and easy to care for.

Freesia also have a great scent.

You'll love both of these, even if there hasn't been rain for awhile.

Answer 4

Lilacs smell glorious after rainfall.

Answer 5

I would go with either Jasmine or Honey Suckle. Yes they are creepers but if you properly train them they will always be beautiful.