Azaleas are among the top when it comes to large, look-at-me flowers. But did you know that these plants have scented blooms as well?Do Azaleas have a scent? The answer is that it depends.
Some azalea varieties are highly fragrant and will compel you to stop to smell the flowers, while others exhibit a light fragrance. There are a few azalea species that do not have a scent, more specifically those that belong in the evergreen type.
Are Azaleas Fragrant?
Azaleas boast some of the best-scented blooms around, even rivaling that of a rose. However, if you’re looking for fragrant azaleas then you should choose a deciduous variety.
The scent of azalea blooms is often described as sweet, with a clove-like fragrance that’s similar to carnation and cottage pink flowers. The intensity of the scent also depends on several factors, such as weather, time of day, and temperature, among others.
In terms of care and cold hardiness, you won’t have to worry when you plant an azalea in your yard or garden. Some varieties can withstand frost as low as minus 25 degrees F, and gardeners often use them to brighten up a landscape on the ground or in a container.
What are the Most Fragrant Flowers?
If you want to transform your landscape not just to appeal to the sight but to the nose as well, here are 10 of the most fragrant flowers you can plant:
- Lavender
- Jasmine
- Roses
- Gardenia
- Heliotrope
- Sweet Alyssum
- Hyacinth
- Lily of the Valley
- Tuberose
- Magnolia
Azalea Species with Fragrant Blooms
Swamp Azalea
Swamp Azaleas produce white and long tubed flowers in early summer and are pretty cold-hardy in their own right. The plant’s foliage is an interesting spectacle as it starts green but then turns orange, purple, and yellow as the season progresses.
Honeysuckle Azalea
An aptly named azalea species, the bright and cheery flowers of a Honeysuckle Azalea smell strongly of sweet honey. The leaves of the plant turn from green to orange, red, and yellow in the fall season. This type of azalea works well as a foundation plant or in hedges and borders.
Alabama Azalea
Alabama azalea is deciduous and tolerates a bit of drought. The plant enjoys full sun and won’t be as showy when put in a shaded spot. In mid-to-late spring, you’ll see white flowers with yellow markings, and if you move closer you’ll get a whiff of a refreshing lemon scent.
Sweet Azalea
Perhaps the most popular azalea variety with a scent, the Sweet Azalea is very generous when it comes to lending color to your yard or garden. All you need to do is follow a regular watering schedule and put the plant in well-drained and rich soil to settle the sweet azalea into your garden.
Clusters of blooms with a pretty pink tinge and red stamens appear in early summer, along with a strong and unforgettable fragrance. The Sweet Azalea thrives in loamy or sandy conditions and with plenty of mulch atop its growing medium.
Related Article: How to Plant and Grow Azaleas in Clay Soil?