27 Fragrant Rose Varieties to Grow This Season

If you hand someone a bouquet of roses, their first instinct is to lean in and inhale its heady scent. How disappointing when their nose detects- nothing!? Sadly, many roses bred for beauty and performance lack fragrance.

The perfume of roses has been valued for centuries, and is the basis of lore connecting roses with romance. Unfortunately, many modern roses have lost this essential quality. Luckily for us, those who prioritize fragrance in roses still have many lavishly-scented options. Some of these are in danger of dying out if we don’t make a point to seek and preserve them.

Whether you are searching for heirloom varieties with rich history, modern hybrids with disease resistance, or just want to find the most delightful gift for your senses, I’m here to help with a list of roses that deliver lush fragrance and beauty. Here are some of my favorite intensely perfumed roses, ready to flourish in your garden!

‘Madame Anisette’

	botanical name Rosa ‘KORberonem’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun- Part Shade
	height 3’ – 4’
	hardiness zones 5- 9

Our list begins with ‘Madame Anisette’ a creamy blush grandiflora from Kordes Roses Parfuma series. This rose has a powerful perfume reminiscent of anise, honey, myrrh, and spice.

‘Madame Anisette’ has received a long list of awards for performance, fragrance, and beauty. This rose is easy-care, and will produce clusters of large, deliciously scented blooms from spring through frost. ‘The midsize shrub is hardy and floriferous, with nearly continuous flowering in season.

Cut stems of ‘Madame Anisette’ last well in a vase, and will perfume your room. This rose appreciates at least 6 hours of full sun, but her delicate pale colors have a tendency to scorch in intense afternoon rays and extreme heat. Consider planting ‘Madame’ somewhere she’ll get a bit of shade in the afternoon. With the soft hues of a beautiful bridal bouquet, this rose might turn out to be the most photogenic of your garden!

‘Rose de Rescht’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Rose de Rescht’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun- Part Shade
	height 3’ – 4’
	hardiness zones 4-9

‘Rose de Rescht’ has full, deep fuschia blooms, and luscious damask scent. Damask roses set the standard for what rose fragrance should be, and have served as the basis for perfumes and oils since the Middle Ages. ‘Rose de Rescht’ is a standout in this category, with intoxicating damask smell and cupped blooms that repeat in summer.

 This variety received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 1993. Though its fragrance alone merits a spot in the garden, the loveliness of ‘Rose de Rescht’s’ quartered rosette flowers are not to be overlooked. The shrub remains quite tidy at 3-4 ft. tall, making it easy to find a place for it in your garden. It’s a flexible grower, preferring full sun, but putting up with part shade easily.

‘Rose de Rescht’ is an excellent introduction to heirloom roses for beginner growers. It stands up to pests and disease, and needs no pampering to thrive.

‘Chantilly Cream’

	botanical name Rosa ‘WEKmedamely’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun- Part Shade
	height 2’-5’
	hardiness zones 5- 10

Opening buttercup yellow and slowly fading to an opulent cream, ‘Chantilly Cream’ smells of sugar and sweet citrus fruits. ‘Chantilly’ is a very full flowered hybrid tea, with long lasting flowers and an attractive bushy growth habit.

‘Chantilly Cream’ has the high-centered blooms favored by rose exhibitionists combined with a high petal count, giving the bush an antique look. Bring out its golden tones with sunny coreopsis or contrast with violet verbena bonariensis for a stunning mixed border.

While many yellow roses are especially susceptible to disease and pest issues, ‘Chantilly Cream’ is strong, vigorously flowering, and low-maintenance. Long graceful stems make this one ideal to cut and bring inside!

‘Sweet Mademoiselle’

	botanical name Rosa ‘MEInostair’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun- Part Shade
	height 4’ – 6’
	hardiness zones 5- 9

The American Rose Society Members’ Choice for Fragrance in 2022, ‘Sweet Mademoiselle’ has a heady perfume of apricots, green apples, lemons, and damask roses. This flower ranges from pale to rich coral pink, depending on the weather.

‘Sweet Mademoiselle’ is a looker as well. Large cupped ruffly blooms cover the bush all summer. Flowers are long lasting on the shrub and in cut bouquets.

Plant ‘Sweet Mademoiselle’ with clove scented dianthus for a delectable combination. The vivid pink roses tinged in orange and apricot catch the eye from a distance, and are luminous in shade. This hardy bush will live up to the hype.

‘Princess Alexandra of Kent’

	botanical name Rosa ‘AUSmerchant’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun- Part Shade
	height 5’ – 4’
	hardiness zones 4- 11

‘Princess Alexandra of Kent’ is a must have for fragrant rose lovers. These sumptuous pink blooms smell of almonds, lemon tea, and black currant jam.

This rose comes from David Austin Roses, a breeder known for combining the best of the old heavily-scented garden roses with modern ease of growing. ‘Princess’ is an excellent example of this work, with old-fashioned, unusually large cupped blooms, extravagant scent, and a tough spirit.

‘Princess’ produces warm pink flowers throughout the season, and grows on a well-formed round shrub. It withstands winter freezes and snow beautifully. This reliable and gorgeous rose won “Best Shrub Rose” in the 2012 Portland Rose Trials, and will shine in your garden, too.

‘Pope John Paul II’

	botanical name Rosa ‘JACsegra’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun- Part Shade
	height 4’ – 5’
	hardiness zones 5- 9

This snowy white rose is a centerpiece of the private Vatican gardens and is considered by many to be the best of the white roses, ‘Pope John Paul II’ has ideal, florist-quality blooms and unparelleled fragrance. Pure white flowers combined with heavenly citrus scent make this rose irresistible!

‘Pope John Paul II’ has earned multiple awards for “Most Fragrant Rose” in international and American trials. It is a very vigorous hybrid tea, usually loaded with blooms all summer.

If you want armfuls of citrus-scented, exhibition quality blooms, you have found your rose. ‘John Paul II’ takes a while to get started, but once established will become a favorite. Watch out for scorch from the sun and thrips, both of which can cause its ivory blooms to brown at the edges.

‘Twilight Zone’

	botanical name Rosa ‘WEKebtidere’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3’-4’
	hardiness zones 5-9

This rose is a velvety deep maroon, with violet tones difficult to find in roses. It has an enticing clove and citrus fragrance. The large ruffled flowers stand out against dark green glossy foliage.

A two time award-winner for “Most Fragrant Rose” in international trials, ‘Twilight Zone’ will lure you in with its mysterious color and exotic perfume. This shrub is rugged and hearty, unbothered by neglect or disease.

Plant ‘Twilight Zone’ with lavender and dark purple salvias for a moody, rich look, or brighten it up with some Japanese Forest Grass and Lemon Coral Sedum. Wherever you plant it, this rose is irresistible.

‘Scentimental’

	botanical name Rosa ‘WEKplapep’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 3’-4’
	hardiness zones 6-10

This rose is named for its captivating sugar and spice aroma, with notes of classic rose. It blooms in clusters of ivory flowers, striped in shades of crimson and burgundy. Each bud is unique, with swirls and watercolor splashes that look decorated by an artist.

This prolific floribunda has won multiple awards, including the elite All-America Rose Selection. ‘Scentimental’ is worth growing for its unique coloration and fragrance, but know that it might be a bit of a diva when it comes to upkeep.

If you decide to plant ‘Scentimental’, be prepared to invest some time keeping it happy and healthy. It’s prone to black spot, especially in humid conditions.  For best results, site it somewhere with morning sun and dappled shade, and remove any diseased foliage as it appears. This rose merits the extra effort!

‘Fragrant Cloud’

	botanical name Rosa ‘TANellis’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 3’ – 5’
	hardiness zones 7-10

This is one of the most beloved of the fragrant roses. It was inducted into the World Federation of Rose Society’s Hall of Fame, and was voted “World’s Favorite Rose” in 1981. With multiple gold medals, you know you’re getting a magnificent specimen and prize-winning scent.

‘Fragrant Cloud’ boasts vivid, coral-red, florist-style blooms that steal the scene in the garden. This rose will not blend easily with other less saturated colors in the garden. It deserves to be a specimen plant, with its own spot to shine. Consider growing it in a pot, or create a stunning mixed bed with ground covers in equally hot colors, like orange rock cress or ice plants.

With a name like ‘Fragrant Cloud’, you know the best feature is the fragrance! This rose smells intensely of citrus fruit, damask roses, spices, and a hint of marzipan. It must be experienced to be believed. Cut stems frequently to perfume your whole home, or enjoy it in a container near the patio door where you can let it waft inside.

‘Desdemona’

	botanical name Rosa ‘AUSkindling’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3’ – 4’
	hardiness zones 5- 11

Smelling of warm honey, anise, and fresh peaches, ‘Desdemona’  merits a place in any fragrant rose bed. Named for Othello’s tragic heroine, this romantic rose has an ethereal quality that brings romance to your garden.

The ivory and apricot-tinged, chalice-shaped blooms look delicately beautiful, but this English shrub rose is actually very hardy. Bred to have old-fashioned style globular blooms and disease resistance, ‘Desdemona’ will let you have the garden fairy tale without all the fuss.  

‘Desdemona’ blooms in abundant clusters all summer. Pair it with white, beautifully-textured perennials like ‘Diamond Frost’ Euphorbia or Fothergilla for a dreamy look.

‘Thérèse Bugnet’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Thérèse Bugnet’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 5’ – 7’
	hardiness zones 3-10

Frilly pink ‘Thérèse Bugnet’ is a cold-hardy rugosa rose with charming ruffled blooms. Its soft appearance belies a very tough nature. This rose can withstand temperatures down to -40 ℉!

‘‘Thérèse’ is perfect for a cottage garden setting. It will spread quickly via suckers to form a gorgeous hedge of pink flowers in little time. It’s a large shrub that normally tops out at about 7 feet tall, but has been known to grow much taller when happy.

Though it has a long list of redeeming qualities, we’re here for the fragrance. ‘Thérèse Bugnet’ smells like a delicious combo of old garden roses, blackberries, and cloves. Enjoy its abundant spring flush with intermittent repeat throughout the season.

 ‘Mister Lincoln’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Mister Lincoln’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3’ – 6’
	hardiness zones 5-10

This is arguably the most admired red rose of all. It’s a killer combo of iconic high-centered blooms, intense scarlet color, and fresh, melony scent. Though opinions differ on exactly what notes are in its fragrance, nearly all agree it’s the prime example of what a rose should smell like.

‘Mister Lincoln’s’ velvety blooms appear in profusion from spring through frost on a bushy shrub. Its long stems are ideal for cutting and make long-lasting, deeply perfumed bouquets. 

This rose was an All-America Rose Selection in 1965, and has defended the title of most popular red rose ever since. If you love classic red roses, you won’t do better. Plant at the back of the border where ‘Mr. Lincoln’ can serve as an elegant backdrop for smaller-statured flowers.

‘Teasing Georgia’

	botanical name Rosa ‘AUSbaker’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 10’ – 12’
	hardiness zones 5-10

I have to admit I’m a bit biased when it comes to ‘Teasing Georgia’. It takes turns as my favorite rose in the whole garden, and never fails to brighten my spirits in spring. The cheerful blooms have a truly delectable tea rose scent.

‘Teasing Georgia’ is a robust climber, with long canes covered in delightful cupped blooms. The center rosettes are buttery yellow, while the outer petals fold back and turn a paler cream. The result is pure cottage charm.

You’ll need a trellis or large support for this Royal National Rose Society Fragrance Medal winner. It is low maintenance, but will produce more blooms if canes are trained horizontally. ‘Teasing Georgia’ doesn’t mind my zone 5 freezes and snow at all, and blooms prolifically all season!

‘Crested Moss Rose’

	botanical name Rosa Centifolia ‘Cristata’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 2’ – 5’
	hardiness zones 4-9

If you want to do your part to preserve old garden roses, take a look at the curious and beautiful ‘Crested Moss Rose’. A centifolia moss rose hybrid with lush pink, peony style blooms and whimsical parsley-like sepals, this one will be a conversation starter in your garden.

‘Crested Moss Rose’ is also called ‘Chapeau de Napoleon’ (Napoleon’s hat), for the way the sepals recall the emperor’s crested bicorne hat. Along with all this personality comes glorious perfume. Simply handling this rose will leave your hands smelling like  pine needles and freshly- squeezed lemons.

‘Crested Moss’ is known to stay quite small, usually only reaching about 2 feet tall, but with potential for 5 feet at maturity. Just like a peony, the canes have a tendency to flop a bit. Plant this variety in twin pots to frame an entry or pathway, and enjoy it in informal bouquets. This interesting little rose is a garden treasure.

‘Moonlight Romantica’

	botanical name Rosa ‘MEIkaquinz’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 4’-6’
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Moonlight Romantica’ is aptly named. This hybrid tea looks deceptively like an old-fashioned English rose, with huge, romantic double blooms that recall the moon’s golden glow.

This bloom machine smells of honey and fresh fruit. It is remarkably hardy for a hybrid tea, and won’t need babying to perform. Known for keeping its rich color even under hot afternoon sun, ‘Moonlight’ is a must for yellow rose lovers.

This rose grows into an easy to manage, bushy shrub, and has long stems that make it easy to harvest for bouquets all summer. Plant in full sun or part shade and enjoy this floriferous stunner from spring through frost.

‘Raspberry Cupcake’

	botanical name Rosa ‘KORcarmsis’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3’-4’
	hardiness zones 6-10

Part of Star Ⓡ Roses and Plants Scentables collection, ‘Raspberry Cupcake’ is fruity and sweet. It smells of raspberries and lemons, topped with powdered sugar. You’ll want to eat it (and you can! But only if you first make sure it hasn’t been treated with pesticides or fungal sprays).

‘Raspberry Cupcake’ has very full, double blooms in pleasing punch pink that fade to light rose over time. Its dark green foliage stays healthy despite attacks from disease or pests, a quality Kordes-bred roses are known for.

This rose has won many prestigious awards, including the “Prize for Perfume” and “Prize for Rebloom and Disease Resistance” in France. It’s a reliable choice for great fragrance and ease of maintenance.

‘Buff Beauty’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Buff Beauty’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 9’ – 11’
	hardiness zones 5-10

This is a highly adaptable hybrid musk rose, with luscious musk and tea perfume. It is spectacular in the garden. Glowing honey and apricot hued blooms smother the long canes, and continue throughout the season.

Its arching growth habit responds well to pegging, or it can be trained to drape gracefully over a wall or pergola. Normally topping out at around 11 feet, this rose can grow as tall as 20 feet high in ideal settings. Make sure you have the room for it to grow to its breathtaking potential.

Hybrid musks are known for their shade tolerance and sturdy leather-like foliage.  ‘Buff Beauty’ is a luminous, beautifully scented example of the variety that won’t disappoint. If you need more convincing, this rose received The Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. A guaranteed winner.  

‘Dolly Parton’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Dolly Parton’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4’– 5’
	hardiness zones 6-10

Who’s up for some bold country blooms? With energetic red-orange flowers worthy of its legendary musical namesake, ‘Dolly Parton’ will wow your garden visitors. This variety boasts enormous flowers (6 inches across) and will add some floral bling to your rose bed.

‘Dolly’ has intense perfume, and it only takes one shrub to fill the whole garden with intoxicating aroma. Some say the color evokes Dolly Parton’s signature lipstick. “Dolly’, like the musician, is a fantastic all-around performer.

There’s nothing timid about this rose, so put it somewhere it can have the spotlight. This rose loves the heat and tends to do better in warm climates and full sun. ‘Dolly’ does get leggy, so plant some low-growing plants in front of it to hide the bare canes.

‘Wollerton Old Hall’

	botanical name Rosa ‘AUSblanket’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 5’-12’
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Wollerton Old Hall’ is a highly coveted alabaster English rose tinted with apricot and blush. Peachy-cream buds are streaked with hints of red and open to deeply cupped cream, creating a stunning combination of colors on one plant. Named for a beautiful private garden in the UK, this rose is enchantment itself.

‘Wollerton’ can be trained as a large shrub or a climber reaching 12 feet. It looks breathtaking with soft blues and purples in the garden. At home in an informal English garden, or used to soften statues and hardscapes, this rose will be a star in any setting.

Best of all is its standout scent of vanilla, myrrh, and magnolia blossoms. Plant this near a seating area for all season long aromatherapy!

‘Bliss Parfuma’

	botanical name Rosa ‘KORmarzau’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3’ –5’’
	hardiness zones 5-11

Steady performer ‘Bliss Parfuma’ is a modern favorite for health, beauty, and scent. An international gold medal winner, ‘Bliss’ grows quickly and produces clusters of peach-centered blooms with ballerina pink outer petals.

Come closer to be treated with a fresh and clean scent reminiscent of vanilla, quince blossoms, and ripe green apples. ‘Bliss Parfuma’ has fully double blooms that make excellent cut flowers, and will continue to produce in flushes all summer.

This pretty ruffled rose works like a neutral in the garden, and it grows beautifully alongside creams, deeper pinks, and yellows. Plant it in a mixed border, and let its perfume gently permeate your garden.  ‘Bliss Parfuma’ is an easy-care, easy to love crowd pleaser.

‘Roseraie de l’Hay’

	botanical name Rosa Rugosa ‘Roseraie de l’Hay’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 6’ – 12’
	hardiness zones 4-7

If you have a tough spot with poor soil, ‘Roseraie de l’Hay’ is the perfect fragrant rose to transform it. A French hybrid rugosa, ‘Roseraie’ (French for rose bed) is cold-hardy, tenacious, and beautiful.

This extra large shrub grows up to 12 feet tall and nearly as wide, and requires no intervention to thrive. It has abundant flushes of pretty burgundy to magenta semi-double flowers, with golden stamens attractive to bees and other pollinators.

‘Roseraie de l’Hay’ is full of glossy green oval, deeply-veined leaves endemic to rugosa roses. It has an enticing smell of cloves, wine, and spice. I can never resist leaning over to inhale the one growing on my street corner. In winter, ‘Roseraie’ still shines, with a decoration of pretty red hips to prolong the beauty. An easy to grow head-turner if you have the space!

‘Francis Meilland’

	botanical name Rosa ‘MEItroni’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 5’-7’
	hardiness zones 6-9

Chosen to honor the famed rose breeder of the same name, ‘Francis Meilland’ has gorgeous exposition-worthy blooms. Flowers are a soft blush in the center with creamy white outer petals.

This rose grows tall, and makes a great hedge or foundation plant. It will flourish in the heat of summer, and offer plentiful blooms atop long stems that make perfect cut roses. A florist favorite, ‘Francis Meilland’ performs just as well in the garden.

‘Francis’ grows quickly, and a newly planted bush will soon rival roses that have been growing for several years. It’s extremely durable for a hybrid tea. The scent is all classic rose, with notes of citrus fruits. Give this one lots of sun and cut often.

‘The Poet’s Wife’

	botanical name Rosa ‘AUSwhirl’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun-Part Shade
	height 3’-4’
	hardiness zones 5-11

If you’re searching for a high-performing yellow rose with exceptional fragrance, ‘The Poet’s Wife’ is a worthy contender. Beginning bright golden yellow and fading to buttercream, these roses smell like lemons, myrrh, and light musk.

‘The Poet’s Wife grows into an agreeable rounded shrub, with some tendency to throw out longer canes. Each tidy rosette is ringed with curved outer petals, which gives the rose a neat appearance.

Plant these en masse for a major dose of visual vitamin D, and pair it with dark purple violas and salvias for a pretty cottage combo. ‘The Poet’s Wife’ is welcoming to beginners, and will fill a bare area with summery blooms. 

‘Paul Neyron’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Paul Neyron’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 4’ – 6’
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Paul Neyron’ has giant magenta flowers, with hints of violet. It’s a lovely hybrid perpetual rose, popular in the Victorian era for large blooms and repeat flowering.

‘Paul’s’ rich color and scalloped petals are complimented by intense old rose fragrance. Blooms begin deeply cupped, and open to a full-petaled flat form.

This is a sturdy plant, with strong stems and nearly thornless canes! Make sure ‘Paul’ gets adequate airflow and lots of sun, as it is somewhat prone to black spot and rust. Even with a bit of extra maintenance required, this rose will win you over with lightly blue-tinged fuschia blooms, spectacular in the vase and the garden.

’‘Reine des Violettes’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Reine des Violettes’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun- Part Shade
	height 5’-12’
	hardiness zones 4-9

‘Reine des Violettes’ has enthralling old rose fragrance with hints of pepper. The gray green foliage and violet hues of this rose have won hearts for over 100 years. To add to its charm, ‘Reine’, French for “Queen of the Violets’  has nearly thorn-free canes!

 This hybrid perpetual repeat flowers from spring through frost, and is a gorgeous mid-size climber. ‘Reine des Violettes’ stands up well to harsh conditions and is disease-free. It’s easy to grow, but appreciates a good fertilization schedule for maximum bloom.

‘Reine’ can be pruned to stay compact, or trained up a trellis if you’d like to encourage longer canes. This rose takes a while to get going, but grows vigorously once established. Her most generous flushes are in spring and fall, with small repeats in between. A lovely violet rose for your collection.

‘Rosa Moschata’

	botanical name Rosa ‘Moschata’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 8’-12’
	hardiness zones 6-10

If you want to invite the true scent of musk rose to your garden, you must try the original ‘Rosa Moschata’. While its origins are not fully known, this pretty white rose is thought to be native to Western Asia and has naturalized in parts of the Mediterranean.

With 5 petals and a single, open bloom, ‘Rosa Moschata’ has a carefree, wild rose appearance. This rose prefers drier climates, and blooms in late summer or early autumn for several weeks.

Plant ‘Rosa Moschata’ in a woodland garden for a natural look. It will lure you in with its unmistakable fragrance. A parent of the richly-scented pink damask roses, ‘Moschata’ is a historic rose with much to recommend it. Try this one if you struggle with aphids!

‘Double Delight’

	botanical name Rosa ‘ANDeli’
	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Full Sun
	height 3’-5’
	hardiness zones 7-10

‘Double Delight’ is an instantly recognizable bi-color rose, with white interiors and outer petals edged in cherry red. When cut, blooms are long lasting (harvest them when just opening for longer vase life). This upright, full shrub will catch the eye from across the garden.

It’s a healthy, quick grower with a strong sweet clove scent. Even first-season roses develop a good crop of blooms. Unfazed by humidity and hot sun, ‘Double Delight’ is a wonderful introduction to bi-colored varieties.

‘Double Delight’ has been popular since 1985, when it was inducted into the World Federation of Rose Society’s Hall of Fame. With additional awards for its lovely sweet and spicy fragrance, ‘Double Delight’ is a showy rose you can count on.