6 Beautifully Scented Hedge Plants To Transform Garden Boundaries into Natural, Sensory Surrounds
Natural border ideas for scent and color around the perimeter of your plot
Hedge planting can completely transform the feel of a garden. In place of stark fencing or lifeless walls, a lush, living boundary softens the space, adds structure, and brings movement and life – all while providing valuable habitat for birds, bees, and butterflies.
There’s no shortage of options to choose from. Some of the best hedging plants offer handsome evergreen structure, like yew and laurel, while others deliver seasonal interest with bursts of flowers, from spring-flowering forsythia to the glossy blooms of choisya.
Article continues below1. Mock Orange
Mock orange shrubs have attractive white blooms with a sweet, almost spiced scent
Mock orange, or Philadelphus, are fragrant shrubs that are native to North America.
These flowering shrubs for full sun need good drainage and plenty of light, but otherwise are easy to grow, and will undoubtedly perfume the perimeter of your property when they flower profusely in June. You can find great quality mock orange starter plants from Amazon.
'Growing best in US hardiness zone 4 to US hardiness zone 7, mock orange plants produce huge shows of springtime flowers,' says Gail Pabst, gardening expert and Marketing Director for the National Garden Bureau.
'With an appealing scent that is not dissimilar to orange blossoms, mock orange plants can be used as specimen plants or as hedging,' Gail continues. 'There are many new cultivars that come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 2 feet to 10 feet.'
More mature mock orange plants are available from Nature Hills.
Gail is a passionate horticulturist with over 25 years' experience in the industry. She is an avid home gardener too and loves to try out the newest varieties and techniques. Gail is the Marketing Director for the National Garden Bureau and her work has helped her to continue their mission of inspiring, teaching and growing in gardening with others.
2. Viburnum
There are hundreds of fragrant viburnum species and varieties available, making this a versatile hedging option
'There are many different viburnum species and varieties to pick from,' says Alex Kantor, gardening expert and owner at Perfect Plants, 'and many that are native to North America or Europe are hardy and resilient hedging options.'
When considering how to grow viburnum, plant care will be specific to each species, but generally speaking, viburnum shrubs grow best in US hardiness zones 2 to 8, thriving in sunny or partially shaded positions with good drainage.
One beautifully scented viburnum species is Viburnum burkwoodii, which you can find at Nature Hills. This will reach 6 to 8 feet tall, so would be better suited to those seeking a low to medium-sized hedge.
For a taller variety, consider growing the cinnamon viburnum, Viburnum cinnamomifolium, which can reach up to 20 feet tall.
Alex has worked in the horticultural industry for over 20 years and grew up on the farm since his childhood years. Alex is an expert on landscape trees, shrubs, and indoor plants. He is passionate about growing and helping others learn the trade. You'll see him driving around the farm with his sidekick, Cricket, in tow.
3. Lilac
Lilacs are romantic, fragrant blooms that herald the arrival of spring
Lilac is widely regarded as one of the best flowering shrubs, prized for its soft, romantic clusters of blooms and unmistakably sweet fragrance.
Flowering in mid to late spring, its perfumed flowers can fill an entire garden with scent, making it an excellent choice for hedging near paths, seating areas, or entrances where it can be enjoyed up close.
When learning how to grow lilac, it’s important to give plants the right conditions. Lilacs thrive in US hardiness zones 3 to 9 and perform best in a sunny or lightly dappled spot, where they will produce the most abundant blooms.
For hedging, consider more compact or repeat-flowering varieties, and allow enough space between plants to accommodate their mature size. With minimal care, lilac will reward you with decades of fragrant, nostalgic spring displays.
'Fortunately, breeders took pity on southern gardeners, and have created lilac cultivars that perform beautifully even in warmer climates, such as ‘Josee’, a small, reblooming lilac with a wide hardiness range,' notes Gail.
You can find Proven Winners® Scentara® Double Blue Lilac at Fast Growing Trees.
4. Sweetshrub
Sweetshrub plants are deciduous, producing colorful and scented blooms in spring and summer
'A southeastern native found growing from New York to Florida and west to the Mississippi River, sweetshrub (also known as Carolina allspice) is a gardener’s dream and an unusual option for those looking to plant a hedge,' says Gail Pabst.
Growing best in US hardiness zone 5 to zone 9, the flowers of this shrub are unique, appearing spider-like with long, narrow petals that are lightly scented. The 'Aphrodite' variety which has a deep red color and typically blooms for several weeks.
'These fragrant blooms smell like citrus, banana, strawberry, pineapple, bubblegum, or even gin, depending on whom you ask,' Gail adds, 'making this ideal for those seeking a fragrant shrub for the front of the house.'
'Sweetshrub is helpfully a versatile plant,' Gails continues, 'and grows beautifully whether planted in full sun or deep shade and can easily be shaped to form a low hedge.'
You can find sweetshrub plants at Amazon, and sweetshrubs are also available to buy from Perfect Plants.
5. Pittosporum
Pittosporum shrubs are evergreen, with glossy green or variegated leaves
Pittosporum is among the best evergreen shrubs for hedging, valued for its glossy foliage, soft structure, and subtle fragrance. Best suited to US hardiness zone 8 and above, it thrives in milder climates where it can be used to create year-round privacy without feeling heavy or formal.
While pittosporum is often chosen for its foliage, it also produces small, dark purple or creamy-white flowers in late spring. These may be modest in appearance, but they release a soft, honeyed fragrance that becomes more noticeable in the evening; ideal for planting near seating areas or pathways.
If you’re planning a hedge, be mindful when selecting varieties. Many pittosporums are bred to be compact or dwarf, so opt for taller-growing types if height and screening are priorities. For best results, plant in well-drained soil in a sunny or lightly sheltered position, and protect from cold, drying winds in cooler regions.
Pittosporum shrubs are available to buy online at Walmart.
6. Abelia
Abelia shrubs are long-flowering and scented, blooming from summer through to the fall
Abelia shrubs produce a bounty of delicately fragrant tubular flowers from June through until the fall. Generally, they can be treated as evergreens in milder regions, holding on to their foliage through much of the year.
These versatile shrubs can be grown in US hardiness zones 4 to 11, preferring a bright, sheltered position in the yard. The flowers of abelia shrubs are popular with hummingbirds, bees and butterflies during the summer months.
Planting several abelia shrubs within 3 feet of each other will eventually form a continuous hedge. With a small amount of patience and occasional pruning, you can quickly craft a floral and fragrant hedge.
A variety of abelia shrubs are available to buy from Fast Growing Trees.
If you are planting a hedge this year, consider adding flowering and fragrant shrubs to enhance your boundaries.
Not only will you enjoy this, but so too will local wildlife. For more information on hedge planting ideas, consider our guide on planting a hedge for wildlife, to attract pollinators to your plot. Or, for hedge maintenance, read our guide on how and when to fertilize hedges.
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