Sweet Winter Fragrance

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By Andrew Bunting, February 10, 2023

For many gardeners, the winter is the hardest season to get through. In many parts of the country, the seasonal conditions feel bleak due to the trees and shrubs that have lost their leaves, and the general lack of winter interest. However, there are plants that will bloom in the winter in many parts of the country, and those with fragrance are even more special because they remind us that spring is on its way. 

Great Winter Fragrant Shrubs – The Witch Hazels 

One of the most popular winter flowering shrubs or small trees are the witch hazels. Witch hazel bark has been popular for over a century for the oil that is derived from it and has many medicinal uses. The native witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana is the source of the oil. In late fall, as the leaves are falling from this large spreading shrub, it reveals the “spidery” strapped-shaped petals that cover the naked stems. Depending on the selection, there are some that have a greater abundance of flowers than others. In addition to the bright yellow flowers, the air is perfumed by this native shrub's scent. 

The Chinese witch hazel, Hamamelis mollis probably has the most intense fragrance of all the witch hazels. It is also one of the earliest species to bloom. Typically, on the East Coast it will come into flower in January. ‘Early Bright’ is a selection that was made at the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College near Philadelphia, and it comes into flower by Mid-January.  All of the cultivars of Hamamelis mollis have yellow flowers.   

There are many flowering colors of Hamamelis x intermedia. ‘Jelena’ is one of the most fragrant and has an amazing abundance of flowers that range from orange to yellow and copper.  

Other Winter Fragrant Flowering Shrubs 

The wintersweet, Chimonanthus praecox is aptly named. This shrub will reach 10-12 feet tall and is often multi-stemmed.  Depending on the region of the country, the wintersweet, hardy to USDA zone 6, will be covered in an abundance of pendant, bell-shaped flowers that are creamy in color with a burgundy center.  ‘Luteus’ has bright yellow flowers that can be cut for a bouquet in the house and the scent will last for days. 

Many daphnes are also fragrant. Daphne odora is a small evergreen shrub reaching only four feet tall. It is hardy to USDA zone 7 but can grow in 6B with the protection of a courtyard. In late winter, it will be covered in clusters of deep pink buds which will open to lavender-pink in intensely fragrant flowers. ‘Aureo-marginata’ has green leaves with a slight cream edge, and ‘Maejima’ has a more significant and noticeable edge of cream on the leaf. 

Fragrant Groundcovers 

One of the best groundcovers for fragrance is the sweetbox, Sarcoccoca hookeriana var. humilis. This groundcover is related to the boxwood, and like the boxwoods, also exhibits exceptional resistance to browsing deer. It is a colonizing and spreading evergreen ground cover that reaches about 12 inches tall. The tiny white flowers are buried under the narrow evergreen leaves but are intensely fragrant in the late winter. Fragrant Valley™ is a more compact selection. 

Trees with Winter Flowers and Fragrance 

In certain parts of the country “spring” comes early. There is perhaps no tree that signifies spring more than flowering magnolias. In parts of California, Oregon, Washington, North Carolina and the south, many magnolias can start flowering as early as the beginning of the year. Even in the Philadelphia and New York areas, depending on the winter, the earliest magnolias can start flowering in early March signaling the coming of spring. 

The star magnolia, Magnolia stellata is one of the most fragrant of all the magnolias. It is also one of the earliest to bloom.  Depending on the region of the country, this deciduous large shrub can start blooming very early.  Every year without fail, the star magnolias will be covered in fragrant white flowers. ‘Rosea’ has soft pink flowers. ‘Centennial’ is an upright tree reaching 18 feet tall, and ‘Chrysanthemumiflora’ has an overabundance of bubblegum-pink flowers. The star magnolia also exhibits great hardiness. 

The Yulan magnolia, Magnolia denudata is also very hardy. Blooming early before any of the leaves emerge, it is covered in pure white flowers with a lemony fragrance. At maturity, it can reach over 40 feet tall. The introduction, ‘Swarthmore Sentinel’ is very fast growing and upright, making it a great selection for a narrow space. 

The saucer magnolia, Magnolia x soulangeana blooms just a little later than Magnolia stellata and Magnolia denudata. It is considered the “queen of magnolias” due to the yearly abundance of fragrant flowers that covers these trees.  

In the most tropical parts of the country the joy perfume tree, Magnolia champaca, is an evergreen magnolia that can bloom throughout the year with highly fragrant yellow to orange flowers. 

Spring Forward 

Even in the grayest days of winter, the garden can provide delightful glimpses of spring through winter fragrance, and many of the species discussed above also provide beautiful flowers as well. These are just a snapshot of some of the best winter flowering shrubs, trees, and groundcovers with great fragrance to add interest to the winter garden. With these ideas in mind, be sure to refer to experts at your local nursery or garden center for advice on species with winter interest that are most hardy in your USDA zone, and you’ll set yourself up to have a thriving, fragrant winter garden.