Fragrant Garden, All You Need to Know to Grow!

Hello! We all love a good smelling candle, but you know what is better than a candle? The real deal! Here you will learn the plants of a fragrant garden, how to grow a fragrant garden, and some fun ideas to try. Bring on the good smells.

What is a Fragrant Garden

A fragrant garden is exactly what it sounds like, a garden with all the delicious smells that we love to smell inside and outside of our homes. In a fragrant garden you will find your personal favorite smells, but don’t be afraid to try something that you might not like. The real deal is always better than what you can find on the store shelf. For example, I don’t like the smell of pure lavender essential, but the plant oh my I cannot walk past a lavender plant without rubbing my fingers on it so that I can smell it. So Heavenly!

Things to Consider Before Planting

To grow a fragrant garden first plan out where you want to grow your plants and how much space you have. It will also be helpful to figure out what your goals are with your garden. Do you want it to be a part of your landscape? Do you have a dedicated raised bed for it? How about being able to smell the flowers as you walk in and out of your home? Do you want to replants this garden every year with annual plants or plant once with perennial plants? Or do you want to simply fill a pot with plants? How much time do I want to dedicate to this space?

How to Grow a Fragrant Garden

Now that you have thought through your wants and need of your fragrant garden it is time these simple steps 

1. Decide what plants you would like to plant (more on this below!)
2. Prepare your garden space by clearing the soil of other plants or weeds
3. Add any needed nutrients to your soil with compost or plant fertilizer. If you have clay soil like I do, it might be helpful to break up the soil as well.  
4. Plant your desired plants 
5. Care for you plants
6. Sink into the abyss and smell all the wonderful smells

Fragrant Garden Plants and Flowers

I personally think it is more fun to garden with a theme. These ideas can take up as little or much space as you have such as a pot, a raised garden bed, or sprinkled throughout your landscape. Here are some themes I think would be fun for your fragrant garden

Cooking Herb Fragrant Garden

This is a dual purpose garden. Enjoy the wonderful smell outside, cut them, smell them while cooking, and then eat them. It’s a triple threat! Some ideas to add to this garden would be 
rosemary
thyme
vanilla basil
cinnamon basil (really any basil) 
cilantro
sage
mint
chocolate mint (I plant my mint in a pot because it is very invasive and can take over spaces and choke out other plants)

Tea Fragrant Garden

Are you an herbal tea drinker? This fragrant garden will bring joy to you through the summer and then all winter long. All you have to do is simply cut these plants, dry them, and then add them to hot water in a tea infuser. BAM yummy herb tea, also what a great gift idea. Some plants for your Fragrant garden could be 
Mint
Chocolate mint (I plant my mint in a box because it is very invasive and can take over spaces and choke out other plants)
Lemon balm
Chamomile (even my 4 year old daughter loves this tea with honey and milk)
Peppermint
Lavender

Fragrant Garden Essential Oil/ Medicinal

Are you an essential oil lover? These plants can be enjoyed outside, or taken inside and used in an essential oil diffuser
Lavender
Lemon balm
Basil
Holy basil
Mint
Peppermint
Chamomile 

Flower Fragrant Garden

Of COURSE! I save the best for last. Grow these flowers, cut them, bring them inside, rug your nose in them, and heal your soul. 
Stock (my favorite)
Lilacs 
Sweet peas
Roses
Honeysuckles
Dianthus 
Lavender
Gardenias 
Lily
Magnolia
Jasmine
Freesias 
Hyacinth 
Paper whites 
Peonies  

Fragrant Houseplant?

Just one more idea I have to share. Growing up in California gave me the joy of living where orange trees grew in every neighborhood, and in the winter when the citrus trees would blossom we would roll our windows down and breathe in the fragrance. Now that I live in cold Utah, that is no longer a joy, BUT I bought a dwarf lemon tree that I kept inside during the winter and it blossoms in the winter and fills the whole room that takes me back to my childhood. If houseplants are your thing you can try a dwarf lemon tree!

Final Thoughts

There you have it, how to grow a beautifully fragrant garden. I love these ideas of a fragrant garden because we will be using more of our senses in the garden, and ultimately for me bringing more delight. Last year was my first year growing sweet peas, just one plant took over a large space on my fence line. Every time I walked by, the sweet smell brought me so much joy. My mom planted sweet peas in a container by her window, and whenever she opened her window the smell would invite its way into her home. How magical! 

What about you? Are you going to grow a fragrant garden, add some plants to your yard, or fill a pot with fragrant flowers to smell when you walk out of your home? Please share below, I can’t wait to hear what you are going to do!

Read More Cut Flower Garden Post!

Grow Your Perfect Cutting Flower Garden This Year!

How to Start a Cut Flower Garden for Beginners- Top 5 Flowers

Grow a Sunflower Garden at Home!

Simple Cut Flower Garden Layout Plans for Small Spaces

As always 

Grow flowers to heal your soul,

Beth