Grow A Scented Patio

Beautiful patio with black table hydrangeas sitting on top and scented perennials growing and blooming all around

Whether you are looking for a hint of fragrance or for a combination of beautiful scents, at SummerWinds Nursery, we have a wonderful selection of plants to help you create a scented patio you’re sure to love!  (Please note that not all varieties may be available at all locations)

7 Must Have To Create and Grow a Scented Patio

1. Jasmine

4 images of jasmine with the first as a vine hanging from the front entrance over a door,  and three more of jasmine up close

Jasmine offer lush foliage on vine-like growth with intensely fragrant, little white flowers that open at night and close in the morning, fading to pink as they age. Use in containers near patios or mass plant along entryways where the fragrance can be enjoyed.

Double-Flowering Crape Jasmine Tabernaemontana divaricata 'Flore Pleno'
  • Moderate growing; reaches 6 to 8 ft. tall and wide.
  • Fragrant Summer Flowers that bloom spring and summer
  • Partial to Full Sun
  • Ideal for hedges, mass planting, privacy screens, urban garden and woodland garden
  • Prefers humus-rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer to encourage blooms
Star Jasmine Trachelospermum jasminoides
  • Twining stems reach 18 to 20 ft. tall; trails 1 to 2 ft. tall as groundcover
  • Blooms spring into summer
  • Grows easily in average soilswoman in green dress kneeling down to smell the flower of a jasmine. Water deeply, regularly during first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Tolerates dry spells, once established.
  • Partial to full sun
  • Ideal for borders, containers, espalier, ground cover and woodland garden
Arabian Jasmine
    Jasminum sambac
    • Quickly reaches 6 to 8 ft. tall, 3 to 4 ft. wide, with support
    • Ideal for borders, containers, espalier, mass planting, and urban gardens
    • Partial to full sun
    • Thrives in enriched, moist, well-drained soils. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system.

    2. Daphne

    Assorted images of daphne

    Daphne - like the Eternal Fragrance Daphne offer a profusion of blush pink flower clusters adorning a compact form. These clusters over many months will provide long-lasting beauty and fragrance in the garden.

    Eternal Fragrance Daphne Daphne x transatlantica 'BLAFRA' Plant
    • Ideal for borders, hedges, mass planting, urban gardens, and woodland gardens
    • Slow growing; reaches 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide.
    • Provide organically rich, moist, very well-drained soil. Prefers a permanent location; transplant gently. Shelter from harsh summer sun. Mulch to keep roots cool and conserve moisture. Water deeply, regularly during first few growing seasons to establish root system.
    Perfume Princess® Daphne Daphne x 'DapJur01'
      • The earliest, longest flowering of daphnes with better sun and heat tolerance. The profusion of very large flower clusters with deep pink buds open in progression to blush pink, highly fragrant blooms with soft citrus undertones and age to white
      • Reaches 4 ft. tall, 3 ft. wide
      • Partial to full sun
    daphne from Monrovia photo by anthony tesselaar for scented patio
    • Ideal for border, hedge, mass planting, rock garden, specimen, urban garden, woodland garden
    • Provide enriched, neutral to slightly acidic, very well-drained soil; avoid heavy, wet, poorly drained sites. Add compost to improve drainage or plant in raised beds. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency, once established. Apply fertilizer after flowering.Pruning time: not required; prune only to shape as desired in late spring, after flowering.
    Variegated Winter Daphne
      Daphne odora 'Aureo-marginata'
      • Beautiful rosy-pink flower buds that open to white, sweetly fragrant flowers in winter and early spring.
      • Attractive yellow-margined, variegated foliage.
      • Partial to filtered sun
      • Blooms in early spring
      • Ideal for borders, hedges, mass planting, specimen, rock gardens, urban gardens and woodland gardens
      • Moderate growing; reaches 3 to 4 ft. tall and wide.
      • Requires prepared soil with exceptional drainage. Mulch to keep roots cool. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a formal appearance, prune after flowering to shape.Pruning time: winter.

      3. Heliotropeheliotropium arborescens

      They have massive rounded clusters of deep purple, intensely fragrant flowers all backed handsomely by foliage with a purple cast. They are lovely in containers, along edges and borders.

      Iowa Heliotrope
        Heliotropium arborescens 'Iowa'
        • A shrubby evergreen perennial. Excellent as an annual in all climates.
        • Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a formal appearance, shear annually after flowering

        4. Gardenia

        3 images of gardenia 2 images of just a single bloom and one image of gardenia planted in a container

        This wonderfully fragrant and compact evergreen shrub is perfect for entryway plantings or in patio tubs, where the fragrance can be enjoyed.

        First Love® Gardenia
          Gardenia jasminoides 'Aimee'
          • Moderate growing; reaches 5 to 8 ft. tall, 3 to 6 ft. wide
          • Partial to full sun
          • Ideal for borders, containers, espalier, hedges, privacy screens, topiary and urban garden
          • Blooms Late Spring through Early Summer
          • Thrives in organically rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Handle with care when transplanting; gardenia roots are best undisturbed. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.Pruning time: summer after flowering.
          Gardenia ever blooming plant by monrovia in front of river rock wallEverblooming Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides 'Veitchii'
          • Highly prized for a profusion of sweetly fragrant, white blooms
          • Partial to full sun
          • Blooms Spring through Summer
          • Slow growing, low mounded form reaches 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide
          • Ideal for borders, containers, hedges, topiary, urban gardens and woodland gardens
          • Thrives in organically rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Handle with care when transplanting; gardenia roots are best undisturbed. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.Pruning time: summer after flowering.
          gardenia plant in a terra cotta potMiniature Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides 'Radicans'
          • Same great fragrance as larger gardenias, but having a dwarf, rounded form enhanced with petite white flowers.
          • Partial to full sun
          • Blooms in Summer
          • Moderate growing; reaches 6 to 12 in. tall, spreading 24 to 36 in. wide.
          • Ideal for border, containers, ground cover, hedge, houseplant, specimen, woodland garden
          • Thrives in organically rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Handle with care when transplanting; gardenia roots are best undisturbed. Water deeply, regularly in first growing season to establish root system. Apply an acid fertilizer after bloom. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch. Prune to maintain size and shape.Pruning time: summer after flowering.

          5. Lavender

          Assorted images of lavender including lavender in a landscape setting, potted lavender and a woman smelling lavender

          It's an extremely aromatic and profuse bloomer, lavender offers a sense of calmness, texture and is drought tolerant once established. It is an ideal sunny perennial for borders or rock gardens, and raised beds or containers.

          Provence French Lavender
            Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence'
            • Ideal for borders, containers, hedges, mass planting and rock gardens
            • Moderate growing; reaches 2 ft. tall and wide
            • Blooms in summer
            • Thrives in lean, loose, fast-draining, slightly alkaline soil; avoid heavy, soggy soils. Plant with crowns slightly above soil level, with minimum spacing of 3 ft. Water regularly in first growing season to establish root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates periodic drought. Remove spent flowers to promote continued bloom.
            Munstead Lavender
              Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead'
              • A rugged yet beautiful compact evergreen shrub with mounding, aromatic, gray foliage and an abundance of fragrant, rich lavender-colored flower spikes. Commonly used for perfumes, sachets, and oils. Dried sprigs will deter insects when placed in a closet or room.
              • Slowly reaches 12 to 18 in. tall and wide.
              • Ideal for borders, containers, mass planting, and rock gardens
              • Thrives in lean, loose, fast-draining, slightly alkaline soil; avoid heavy, soggy soils. Plant with crowns slightly above soil level. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates moderate drought. Prune back by one-half after flowering to encourage rebloom.Pruning time: spring, every 2-3 years, to promote robust new growth.
              2 images of lavender, the first is munstead and the second is silver anouk paired with a succulentSilver Anouk Spanish Lavender
                Lavandula stoechas 'Silver Anouk'
                • A unique, new, compact lavender with stunning silver foliage and dark violet flowers topped by lavender petal-like bracts. This heavy spring bloomer is disease resistant and durable, standing up to summer heat and drought.
                • Moderate growing; reaches 24 to 30 in. tall and wide.
                • Ideal for borders, containers, hillside, mass planting and rock gardens, and urban gardens
                • Thrives in lean, loose, fast-draining, slightly alkaline soil with a gravel mulch. Plant with crowns slightly above soil level. Water regularly during first growing season to establish root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates moderate drought. Prune lightly after flowering to promote next season's growth.
                Hidcote Blue English Lavender
                  Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote Blue'
                  • Ideal for borders, containers, kitchen gardens, mass plantings and rock gardens
                  • Moderate growing; reaches 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide
                  • Blooms in summer
                  • Thrives in lean, loose, fast-draining, slightly alkaline soil; avoid heavy, soggy soils. Plant with crowns slightly above soil level. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates moderate drought. Prune back by one-half after flowering to encourage rebloom.
                  Big Time Blue English Lavender
                    Lavandula angustifolia Big Time
                    • Big, abundant flowers on a compact lavender that is perfect for pots, perennial borders, or massed as a flowering hedge. Aromatic, silvery green foliage contrasts beautifully with its darker flower color.
                    • Ideal for borders, containers, kitchen gardens, mass plantings and rock gardens
                    • Fast growing; reaches 18 to 20 in. tall, 30 in. wide. `
                    • Blooms in summer
                    • Thrives in lean, loose, fast-draining, slightly alkaline soil; avoid heavy, soggy soils. Plant with crowns slightly above soil level. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates moderate drought. Prune back by one-half after flowering to encourage rebloom.

                    How to choose the best lavender for your garden


                    6. Rosemary

                    two images of rosemary, one in a terra cotta container and the second is a close up view

                    This Mediterranean beauty with arching stems will spill freely over a rock wall or container edge. Delightful lavender-blue flowers appear in spring. The aromatic, needle-like evergreen foliage is valued as a culinary herb or in potpourri. Jasmine – will offer lush foliage on vine-like growth with intensely fragrant, little white flowers that open at night and close in the morning, fading to pink as they age. Use in containers near patios or mass plant along entryways where the fragrance can be enjoyed.

                    Roman Beauty Rosemary
                      Rosmarinus officinalis 'Roman Beauty'
                      • Thrives in loose, well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic soils. Water deeply, regularly during first growing season to establish an extensive root system; reduce frequency once established. Avoid excess winter moisture. Needs little care; may be fertilized lightly in spring. Prune only as needed to shape.

                      pink scented geraniums

                      7. Scented Geraniums

                      Scented Geraniums, Pelargonium spp. are herbaceous perennials that have smaller flowers than true geraniums. The lovely scent emitted from these geraniums don't come from the blooms but rather their leaves. Scented geraniums are used in to add flavor in food, teas and syrups.

                      Available in an array of colors and scents. Choose from those that have a citrus like smell, fruit, mint, nut and floral.


                      Sources: Monrovia.com