The 10 Best Flowers to Help You Enjoy the Aromas of Spring   

Scent is “one of those things.” It is both powerfully attractive and repellant, depending on where it’s coming from and what it reminds us of. It is evocative of our deepest and oldest memories in ways a thousand pictures can never be. While we all know the fragrances of clean soil after a rain, fresh-cut grass, or the sweetest rose, describing those smells in words is nearly impossible. 

That doesn’t stop us from relying on scents, though. Whether it’s the soup burning or spring coming, our brains are hardwired to gather information from fragrance, and at no time is that truer than when blossoms begin to spring up around the neighborhood.

1. Hyacinth

Hyacinth is one of the most beautiful additions to any spring garden, as it comes up before most other flowers. Its shocking purple-blue color is always a lovely contrast to the muted earth tones and spring greens that prevail this time of year. While hyacinth has a very floral scent, with a spicy sweetness on the back end, not everyone likes it.

2. Wisteria

On the other hand, almost everyone agrees that wisteria smells divine. Standing under its profusion of lavender-colored flowers – wisteria is a climber – is one of the treats of springtime. Its musky scent is sweet and charming, the perfect addition to any bouquet.

3. Primrose

Available seemingly in every color of the rainbow, the primrose is one of the most beloved garden plants across the world. It is associated with fairies and the goddess Freya, with yellow-centered blooms that cluster on thick green leaves. Primrose looks amazing in small bouquets and smells both sweet and sharp, with some comparing the scent to citrus candy.

4. Lilac

A quintessentially feminine smell, lilac is light and crisp but also sweet and, if you get too much of it, cloying. Enjoy lilac in small bunches or interspersed in a larger bouquet to bring those scents of spring indoors.

5. Rose

Whether it would by any other name smell as sweet is up for debate, but roses are inarguably one of the best-scented flowers out there, and we should stop and smell them as often as possible. Bring rose inside later in spring, placing single blooms in small vases or gathering up bunches of stems for a killer centerpiece.

6. Gardenia

Although these plants are more commonly grown as houseplants in the UK, gardenias can be cultivated outdoors in sheltered positions in areas where the weather may be milder in winter. Still, they are delicate, and their cool, woody, floral scent is best achieved in a hothouse in spring.

7. Butterfly Bush

Although frequently confused with lilac, the butterfly bush is another species entirely. It got its name because butterflies are attracted to the long, cone-shaped blooms that appear in late spring and smell like honey, especially when warmed by the heat of the day.

8. Magnolia

Perhaps the blossom associated with the dramatic flush of spring, the magnolia has been a showstopper for centuries. With a sweet fruitiness, accompanied by the crisp notes of champagne, it’s the ideal blossom for a springtime celebration of any kind.

9. Honeysuckle

As the name suggests, honeysuckle smells good enough to eat. In fact, it is good enough to eat, as children worldwide have done for thousands of years, drawing the sweet dew out of the end of the flower and sucking on it. Bring that same childhood joy to your flower arrangements with this white-yellow blossom on charming trailing stems.

10. Peony

The scent of peony varies with the cultivar, but most people think they smell like roses, citrus, or water lily. Even better than their lovely scent are the huge, ball-like blooms that start spherical and then fall open as they flower.

How to Enjoy the Aromas of Spring Indoors

If you’d like to bring your cheerful-smelling garden inside, there’s no better way to do that than with a bouquet. Here’s your basic recipe for building a spring bouquet:

1. Start with a backbone of greenery, such as budding spring branches or ferns.
2. Add a few large and sturdy statement flowers, such as roses, hyacinths, or peonies, around the outside of your greens.
3. Begin to fill in with smaller, more delicate flowers, such as lilac and wisteria.
4. Use trailing stems of honeysuckle here and there to add dimension to your bouquet.
5. As you go, add more of your larger statement flowers in between bunches of greens and smaller flowers.
6. Keep going until your bouquet is as large as you want it.
7. Place in a size-appropriate vase, preferably a clear one, so you can enjoy the beautiful fresh green of spring stems, and enjoy.

Order the Scents of Spring from Chelsea Flowers!

If you want to go the easy route, feel free to order your bouquet from us. We are happy to help you choose colors and follow themes, whether you’re congratulating someone on a new job, welcoming a spring baby, or just sending an “I love you” to one of your favorite people.

All you have to do is get in touch today.