15 Evergreen Shrubs With Fragrant Flowers

Do you want to enjoy a long-lasting aromatic garden? In this article, plant expert Matt Dursum shows you the best evergreen shrubs with fragrant flowers to make your garden smell great year-round.

A close-up shot of fragrant flowers blooms of an evergreen tree or shrub that showcases seed starting setups

Contents

Aromatic annuals like sweet alyssum may be fun to grow, but there’s nothing like a fragrant evergreen shrub for long-lasting aromas. These floral-smelling plants fill the air with their lovely scent. Your garden will feel like an outdoor spa! 

Many flowering plants produce these aromas to attract helpful pollinators like bees and keep predators away. The scents you smell are volatile compounds that evaporate from the petals. 

Some flowers, such as petunias, contain seven to ten aromatic volatile chemicals. Plants such as orchids release over 100! Evergreen shrubs can also produce massive amounts of these delicious-smelling compounds. 

If you’re planning on creating the ultimate sweet-smelling garden in your home, you’ll love growing these popular evergreens. Below are 15 evergreen shrubs with fragrant flowers to grow this year. If you aren’t sure whether or not a plant on this list is invasive, check with your extension office before planting.

Fragrant Tea Olive

A shot of white fragrant flower blooms of the Fragrant Tea Olive plant basking in bright sunlight outdoors
The plant has dense, deep green foliage and produces fragrant blooms.
botanical-name botanical name Osmanthus fragrans
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 10-20’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 8-11

Fragrant tea olive is a popular evergreen shrub that packs a ton of fragrant blooms. In fact, it produces some of the most fragrant bouquets of any garden plant. 

It has dense, deep green foliage that works well as a hedge plant or even a bonsai. What most gardeners love the most are its fragrant white blooms that appear in the spring through fall. Its flowers smell like a combination of stone fruits, honey, and perfume. 

It thrives in areas with a little shade with well-draining soil. You can use it as an ornamental hedge or container plant. In colder climates, you can move it inside to enjoy some of its early and late blooms indoors. 

Sweetbox

Bright green, waxy leaves surround small, star-shaped white blooms with reddish-brown centers, creating a striking contrast against the deep green foliage.
The evergreen grows to around 4 feet and yields small aromatic blooms.
botanical-name botanical name Sarcococca ruscifolia
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 3-4’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 7-9

If you’ve ever walked through a spring garden in the South and smelled the sweet aroma of vanilla permeating through the air, it was probably a sweetbox. This wonderful perennial grows to around four feet and produces thick green evergreen leaves. 

In the spring, usually around March and April, you’ll see small, unassuming flowers radiate from the shrub. Although they’re not flashy, these tiny blooms pack an aromatic punch. 

This small and fragrant evergreen grows best in well-drained soils full of organic material. Sweetbox is easy to grow and makes a wonderful hedge with its ability to train and handle frequent pruning. 

Japanese Skimmia

A shot of a developing shrub called the Japanese Skimmia, showcasing its red aromatic flower clusters in a well lit area
The plant blooms pink or white, and produces bright red berries.
botanical-name botanical name Skimmia japonica
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial to full shade
height height 2-7’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 7-8

Japanese skimmia is a decorative evergreen shrub with fragrant flowers and dense, dark green foliage. It’s native to the forests of coastal Japan, where it tolerates mild freezes and long, hot summers.

In spring, it produces pink or white blossoms that contain complex perfume-like aromas that will fill your garden. It’s a short shrub with big glossy leaves and bright red berries. 

This hardy perennial is easy to care for. Grow it in well-draining soil full of organic material. Feed it with compost close to its blooming times, and it will produce some of the best-smelling blooms you can imagine. 

Hardy Thorny Olive

A close-up shot of developing foliage and flowers of the Hardy Thorny Olive showcasing its deep green leaves and white flower clusters
The evergreen perennial produce small clusters of perfume-smelling white blooms.
botanical-name botanical name Elaeagnus pungens
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun
height height 12’-15’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 7-9

Hardy thorny olive is a small shrub native to East Asia. It has big, beautiful evergreen foliage that will make the perfect hedge plant. This lovely perennial can withstand cool winters as long as you get a lot of sunlight. 

Although it’s invasive in the Southeastern US, many gardeners have fallen in love with its delectable blooms. They develop in fall in small clusters with strong perfume. The aroma is so potent that it will overpower almost any garden plant. 

If you grow this beautiful shrub, you’ll have to stick to a rigid pruning schedule. It grows quickly and can take over your garden in a few years if left untrained. Although it’s challenging to keep this shrub under control, it makes one of the best hedge plants in warmer regions. 

Daphne

A close-up of a daphne shrub showcasing lush green leaves contrasting with delicate purple blooms, offering a harmonious blend of colors in a natural setting, evoking tranquility and botanical beauty.
The shrub bloom in winter and spring with a slight citrus aroma.
botanical-name botanical name Daphne odora
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to full shade
height height 3-6′
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 7-9

Daphne is a beautiful evergreen shrub with fragrant blooms that appear in winter and spring. Its blooms are often the first to make an appearance in outdoor spring gardens. 

They have a slight citrus aroma that can smell anywhere from perfume to breakfast cereal. Because of its early blooms, it makes the perfect addition to outdoor hedges and entryways in the warmer portions of the U.S. 

It prefers well-draining sandy soil that’s slightly acidic or neutral. It is slow-growing and easy to care for, making it the perfect compact hedge plant. You can also get it to thrive in containers. 

Pieris

A close-up of soft pink Japanese pieris flowers and lush green leaves, showcasing delicate clusters in full bloom.
This evergreen shrub produces small clusters of pink and red perfume-smelling blossoms.
botanical-name botanical name Pieris japonica
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 8-10’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 4-8

Pieris is a striking evergreen shrub that forms small clusters of fragrant pink to red flowers in the late winter and early spring. When it blooms, your pieris shrub will smell like a delicate perfume. Its flower clusters hang down in beautiful drapes over its dense leaves. 

The plant grows slowly and produces lovely green foliage. It is compact enough to grow in containers or train into a hedge plant. 

It prefers well-draining soils with slight acidity. Plant it near your favorite azalea or grow it on its own. You may see pieris labeled as ‘lily of the valley bush’ at your local nursery. 

Gardenia

Glossy, dark green leaves with white, fragrant blooms emerging from a lush bush in a pot.
This plant thrives in partial shades and smells sweet, woody and floral.
botanical-name botanical name Gardenia jasminoides
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 4-8’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 7-11

Gardenia smells of the sweetest, woodsiest, most floral perfume you could imagine. It thrives in partial shade with well-draining soil. It can’t tolerate too much heat, so grow it in containers and overwinter indoors if you live in cold climates. 

Gardeners love gardenias because of their fragrance and adorable shape. Most are white and rose-like. They look especially striking against the backdrop of the plant’s thick, glossy leaves. 

You’ll find several varieties and cultivars with various sizes and bloom colors. Don’t be afraid to try this fragrant evergreen indoors. 

Meyer Lemon

A close-up of a Meyer Lemon tree laden with lush yellow fruits, its vibrant green leaves sprawling across the branches, set against the backdrop of a spacious backyard belonging to a large white house.
This evergreen shrub produces delicious fruits and fragrant flowers.
botanical-name botanical name Citrus x meyeri ‘Improved’
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 6-12’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 8-11

Meyer lemon is a wonderful evergreen shrub that’s usually grown for its delicious fruit. What many gardeners are pleasantly surprised by is its fragrant blooms. If you’ve never smelled citrus blooms before, you’ll be in for a treat. 

Citrus trees are native to Asia, where they were cultivated into the edible plants we love today. The Meyer lemon is one of the most popular varieties for culinary uses. The aromatic essential oils from its blooms are also used in perfumes and candies around the world. 

Grow this shrub in containers or outside if you live in warmer climates. A healthy plant can produce richly fragrant blooms twice a year. 

Angel’s Trumpet

Angel's trumpet plant in close-up, showcasing its green leaves and delicate pink tubular flowers, creating a captivating contrast. As the light touches them, the flowers glow softly, lending an ethereal charm to the scene.
This plant produces big and beautiful fragrant blossoms that have the ability to attract pollinators.
botanical-name botanical name Brugmansia spp.
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 6-36’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 7-10

Angel’s trumpet is a tropical shrub that has big, beautiful blossoms that smell amazing! The flowers come in a variety of colors and fragrances. Most flowers are massive and look like hanging trumpets. 

One of the best things about this beautiful evergreen is its ability to attract pollinators. You’ll get everything from hummingbirds and bees to bats. However, the plant is toxic, so be careful planting where kids or curious pets are present.

It will tolerate a little frost, so you can grow it in many areas of the U.S., especially in the South and California. It thrives in rich, well-drained soil and can thrive near salty coastlines. 

Evergreen Wisteria

An evergreen wisteria plant basks in the warm sunlight, its vibrant purple blooms catching the eye amidst a sea of lush green leaves. The contrast between the delicate flowers and the verdant foliage creates a captivating natural tableau.
This plant has thick green foliage and purple flowers with cedar aromas.
botanical-name botanical name Callerya reticulata
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 12-15’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 8-11

The evergreen wisteria is not a true wisteria but has a similar growth habit to its vining lookalike. The plant produces thick green foliage and woody copper-colored stems. Besides its foliage, its true beauty lies in its aromatic blooms. 

Grow this evergreen on a trellis to create big, beautiful overhangs. Its purple flowers will hang down and produce aromatic floral and cedar aromas that are irresistible. 

If you live in warmer regions of the U.S., you’ll be able to grow this striking shrub with little issues. Because of its compact size, you can overwinter it indoors in colder regions. 

Magnolia

A tree with bare branches and stunning, large, cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink.
It has giant glossy leaves and tiny sweet-smelling flowers.
botanical-name botanical name Magnolia spp.
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 15-80’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 5-8

A magnolia tree can be a small shrub or massive tree, depending on its species. What each species has in common are sweet-smelling flowers that look like tiny porcelain cups. Combined with its giant, glossy leaves, it’s one of the most striking plants you can have in your garden. 

As a short-statured tree, it will grow as a shrub in most warm-climate gardens. It produces purple, pink, white, and yellow flowers in the spring or summer. 

A magnolia is generally easy to grow and comes in a variety of sizes. One of the most common shrubs is the Magnolia figo. This short variety produces blooms that smell like tropical fruits. 

Plumeria

Close-up of a flowering Plumeria alba plant, also known as White Frangipani, in a tropical garden. White Frangipani boasts a stunning appearance with its glossy, leathery leaves and fragrant, waxy flowers. The plant features thick, succulent stems adorned with clusters of lance-shaped leaves arranged in spiral patterns. The branches bear clusters of white, five-petaled flowers with yellow centers.
This plant can produce flowers with varying colors and sizes.
botanical-name botanical name Plumeria spp.
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun 
height height Up to 30′
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10-12

If you live in tropical and subtropical regions, chances are you can grow a plumeria. There are several common species and varieties, each with unique sizes and flower colors. Most are evergreen shrubs with thick green leaves. 

What makes a plumeria so special are its flowers. Small, star-shaped blooms come in multiple colors, including white, yellow, pink, and red. Besides their attractive shape, plumeria flowers smell incredible! Think of the most expensive perfume or a dream vacation to tropical islands, and this is close to what plumeria flowers smell like. 

Cestrum

Cestrum aurantiacum displays lance-shaped leaves and clusters of small, tubular, orange-gold flowers.
This plant produces trumpet-shaped flowers in gold, orange, or yellow.
botanical-name botanical name Cestrum aurantiacum
sun-requirements sun requirements Partial shade
height height 5-16’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 7-11

Cestrum is a warm climate shrub that thrives in much of the Southern U.S. It’s one of the best night-time bloomers. Its bold trumpet-shaped gold, orange, and yellow flowers create a bright citrus perfume that’s hard not to love. 

The plant is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. As an ornamental evergreen shrub, it grows slowly and is easy to train as a hedge. It can grow in a variety of soils and can even tolerate drought, making it perfect for California and the Southwest. 

Common Jasmine

A close-up shot of a developing plant with its white flowers commonly known as the Jasmine
This sub-tropical evergreen vine produces star-shaped and bell-like flowers.
botanical-name botanical name Jasminum officinale
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 20-30’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 7-10

Common jasmine is a mesmerizing and versatile flowering evergreen vine. It has star-shaped and bell-like flowers that bloom from spring to fall. 

If you haven’t walked through a blooming jasmine plant, you haven’t quite experienced one of life’s great joys. This sub-tropical plant produces a fragrance that many perfume companies, incense makers, and tea aficionados can’t get enough of. 

It’s an easy-to-grow plant and can thrive in a variety of conditions. It won’t tolerate hard freezes, so try it as an indoor container plant in cold climates. 

Calamondin Orange

A shot of the Calamondin Orange plant showcasing its orange fruits and green foliage in a well lit area
The plant produces sweet, juicy fruits and sweet-smelling blooms.
botanical-name botanical name Citrus x microcarpa
sun-requirements sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
height height 3-20’
hardiness-zones hardiness zones 10-11

The calamondin orange produces juicy, sweet fruit and sweet-smelling blossoms that resemble orange meringue pie mixed with honey. With a little trimming, you can keep this versatile citrus as a shrub. Or, let it grow to reach tree size. 

The entire plant smells beautiful, from its fragrant flowers and fruit to its dark green, waxy leaves. Its flowers have small, white petals that bloom throughout the year, especially in spring. 

This citrus is easy to maintain as long as you live in a warm climate. It won’t tolerate frosts. However, it flourishes in containers, so cold-weather gardeners can move it inside when the weather turns blustery.

Share This Post
Clusters of pink and white tubular blossoms with green, oval-shaped leaves in the background.

Shrubs

17 Best Shrubs for the Cut Flower Garden

Are you looking to plant a flowering hedge or add long-lived plants that provide beautiful blooms for arrangements? Join flower farmer Briana Yablonski to learn some of the top shrubs for your cut flower garden.

A shot of flowers, leaves and stems of a winter honeysuckle

Shrubs

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Winter Honeysuckle

Honeysuckles are fragrant shrubs or vines perfect for chilly climates. Winter honeysuckle is a special type from China that grows well in North America. Give it plenty of space, airflow, and light, and it’ll fill your backyard with alluring, aromatic blossoms for decades.

Close up of the globe-shaped flower clusters in soft cream and yellow tones bloom on leafless, gracefully arching branches with textured, silvery bark, making it one of the most showy winter shrubs.

Shrubs

17 Showy Shrubs That Shine in the Winter Landscape

Breathe life into the winter garden with a diverse palette of shrubs that show off in the cold season. With vibrant fruits, foliage, forms, and fragrances, they continue the display in an otherwise quiet landscape. Enjoy the multiseason interest these top performers (including natives and their cultivars) offer in winter and beyond with garden expert Katherine Rowe.

A lush shrub covered in vibrant pink and red flowers, surrounded by a grassy area with scattered sunlight.

Shrubs

How to Prune Camellias

Camellias can brighten up the gloomiest winter day and dress up a dining room table for holiday dinners. These lovely evergreen shrubs have some rules to follow when it comes to pruning to maximize their flowering potential. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to learn how to prune your camellia for maximum health and flowering potential.

A foggy autumn day reveals a natural country garden featuring vibrant fall color shrubs, a tall evergreen fir tree, a lush green lawn, and a hosta bush with bright orange leaves.

Shrubs

19 Shrubs With Fabulous Fall Color

Is the gorgeous autumn color palette making you long for more warm hues in your landscape? Gardening expert Melissa Strauss has some of the most colorful shrubs to share. Even if you're working with a smaller space, we have options for you to warm things up during these cooler months.