Every Garden Needs One Plant That Smells Better At Night – 7 Fragrant Choices for Dreamy Evenings on the Patio
Add ambience and aroma to your evening plans on the patio with these fragrant plants that smell even better at night than they do during the day.
Gardens aren’t just for daytime. Plan it right, and your garden can shine at night, too. As the sun goes down, many flowers close up but others open and actually release more fragrance. This is an evolutionary strategy to attract nighttime pollinators, but you can use it to your advantage.
Create an evening garden with night-scented flowers so you can enjoy gorgeous fragrances after the sun goes down. You don’t need an entire garden built around these flowers, but a few placed strategically around patios or decks and near open windows can transform your evenings.
Our suggestions here are known for nighttime aromas and include a variety of types, so you can find something suitable for your space.
1. Night-Blooming Jasmine
Night-blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) is a woody shrub that grows quickly and, despite its name, is not a true jasmine. It’s a nightshade, which means it's related to tomatoes.
What it does have in common with jasmine, though, is a strong aroma. It blooms at night and the very strong floral fragrance intensifies after dark. A little bit goes a long way, so consider placing it a little way away from a seating area.
Night-blooming jasmine is a tropical plant, hardy in USDA growing zones 8 through 11. It grows best in full sun or partial shade with fertile soil that drains well but stays consistently moist.
This shrub will grow quite large in warm climates, so give it plenty of room. Alternatively, you can keep it smaller in a container and bring it indoors in winter in colder zones.
Get a 3-pack of night-blooming jasmine online from the Home Depot.
2. Evening Primrose
Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a native biennial that grows well in full sun and soil that drains very well and may even be sandy. It’s hardy in zones 4 through 9 and grows vigorously, so be careful where you plant it.
Consider using containers for this flower or growing it in a naturalized native plant garden. Using containers is beneficial not only for containing evening primrose, but also so that you can move the flowers around to best capture the fragrance in the evening.
In terms of fragrance, evening primrose is delicate. The flowers open in the evening and release a light, sweet floral scent. Because the fragrance isn’t too strong, you can plant this close to seating areas.
3. Moonflower
For a night-scented vine that is an annual in most growing zones, consider the moonflower (Ipomoea alba). The large white flowers, which look similar to morning glories, open at night and release a scent that is often described as sweet and with hints of vanilla and almond.
Moonflower is a perfect choice for a pergola, arbor, trellis, or deck and balcony railings as it needs something to climb. Grow it in a spot with full sun or partial shade and rich, well-drained but moist soil. Moonflower grows quickly, so even when planted from seed in spring, you’ll soon have a vigorous, fragrant vine.
You can find heirloom moonflower seeds from Botanical Interests to start in next year's garden.
4. Angel’s Trumpet
Angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia spp.) is a dramatic and showy shrub known for its large, trumpet-shaped flowers, which have a sweet and intensely floral aroma. The smell of the flowers intensifies in the evening.
Be sure to plant angel’s trumpet in a spot where you can enjoy both the fragrance and the spectacular flowers. It does best in full sun or partial shade with rich, fertile soil that stays moist.
You can grow angel’s trumpet year-round in zones 9 through 11 or as a container plant that you bring plants indoors for winter in colder areas. If you’re using a container, make sure it’s big enough to hold this large shrub.
Also, be aware that angel’s trumpet is highly toxic. It might not be the best choice if you have pets or small children.
You can get this unique tropical plant online from Walmart.
5. Flowering Tobacco
Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata) is a tropical plant that is only hardy in zones 10 through 11, but it is very easy to grow as an annual anywhere. The abundant flowers are highly fragrant at night and have a jasmine or honey-like smell. It’s a good option for an easy-going plant that won’t grow too large or commit you to growing a perennial that needs more care.
Grow flowering tobacco in full sun or partial shade, especially in the afternoon in hot climates. The soil should be fertile and moist, but also drain well. You can find different varieties of nicotiana that vary in flower color and fragrance intensity. If you want a more intense aroma, group plants together near seating areas.
Try Park Seed's 'Sensation Mix' nicotiana seeds for a combination of colorful blooms.
6. Night-Scented Stock
Night-scented stock (Matthiola longipetala) is an annual known for its spectacular evening fragrance. It’s described as having notes of spice, clove, and vanilla. While the flowers are delicate and airy, at night, they really come alive with an exotic scent.
Place these flowers in areas with full sun or partial shade and soil that drains well. Night-scented stock is best grown as a cool-season annual, so it will thrive in both spring and fall.
This is a small plant that isn’t too showy, so it’s great for getting more fragrance in a small garden and when tucked in among other plants or in containers.
Get night-scented stock seeds online from Amazon for only a few dollars.
7. Mock Orange
Mock orange (Philadelphus spp.) is a medium-sized shrub that is hardy in zones 4 through 8. Although not related, the aroma of the flowers is very similar to orange blossoms, sweet and citrusy.
Mock orange flowers don’t open at night, but they do produce a strong scent that lingers in the evening. Place it close to a patio or deck to make the most of it after sunset.
Mock orange grows best in full sun or some light shade. More sun leads to more flowers. The soil should drain well, but the shrub is tolerant of many conditions once it gets established. This is a great scent option if you’re looking for a permanent and sizable landscape element.
Tips for Growing Fragrant Plants
Choosing the right plants for your night-scented garden is just the first step. To make the most of them, plant them where you’ll capture the aromas on outdoor evenings: next to patios and decks, on balconies, next to porch steps or along walkways, and near windows so you can enjoy them inside, too.
You can also use breezes to your advantage. If the evening winds tend to blow in one direction, be sure your seating areas are downwind of the fragrant plants. Also, consider layering these plants by height, including some taller and shorter options.
Of course, it’s also possible to overdo it with scented plants. Be selective and mix them in with plants that are not fragrant, so you don’t overwhelm your senses. Start with one or two options and then build from there as needed.
