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Must-Have Flowering and Fragrant Picks for Your Spring Garden
Bring the beauty and intoxicating scents of spring to your Bay Area garden. Explore 8 fragrant trees, shrubs, vines, and their companion perennials that offer stunning blooms and vibrant color. Create a sensory-rich outdoor space with these standout selections designed to delight your senses all season long.
1. Daphne odora ‘Marginata’
Known as the Variegated Winter Daphne, this compact, evergreen shrub is celebrated for its intoxicating fragrance. Rosy-purple buds open to reveal white flowers that bloom in late winter to early spring. Daphne odora ‘Marginata’ thrives in partial shade, making it an excellent choice for containers, borders, or as a specimen plant where its scent can be enjoyed up close.
- Growth: 3 to 5 feet tall and wide
- Light: Partial shade
- Bonus: Year-round variegated foliage adds visual interest
2. Syringa Bloomerang® Dark Purple
This reblooming lilac shrub delivers a burst of fragrant, dark purple flowers in spring and again from mid-summer to fall. Its long blooming season and pollinator-friendly nature make it an excellent addition to hedges, borders, or as a standalone feature.
- Growth: 4 to 6 feet tall, 3 to 5 feet wide
- Light: Full sun
- Bonus: Deer-resistant and ideal for cut flower arrangements
3. Flowering Japanese Apricot (Prunus mume ‘Mokel’)
With blossoms ranging from white to pink to red, this ornamental tree is cherished for its spicy, cinnamon-like fragrance. Blooming in late winter to early spring, it’s a wonderful choice for small gardens or near walkways where its scent can be fully appreciated.
- Growth: 20 feet tall and wide
- Light: Full sun
- Bonus: Offers early-season blooms when few other plants are flowering
4. Magnolia ‘Genie’
Magnolia ‘Genie’ captivates with deep maroon-purple blooms that open on bare branches in early spring. These lightly fragrant flowers often reappear in late summer, making this compact tree a standout choice for smaller gardens or as an accent near patios.
- Growth: 10 to 15 feet tall, 5 feet wide
- Light: Partial to full sun
- Bonus: Deer- and rabbit-resistant
5. Kwanzan Flowering Cherry (Prunus serrulata ‘Kwanzan’)
Famous for its bright pink, double blooms, the Kwanzan Flowering Cherry is a showstopper in spring gardens. Its subtle fragrance and stunning flowers make it a favorite for sunny locations, adding charm and seasonal flair.
- Growth: 20 to 25 feet tall, 15 to 20 feet wide
- Light: Full sun
- Bonus: Year-round interest, with foliage that turns vibrant in fall
6. Lavender Twist® Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Covey’)
This unique weeping redbud showcases rosy lavender-pink flowers that emit a soft fragrance, covering its slightly contorted branches in early spring. Its compact size and cascading form make it ideal for small gardens or as a focal point in a border.
- Growth: 6 to 8 feet tall and wide
- Light: Full sun
- Bonus: Stunning heart-shaped leaves follow the blooms
7. Wisteria frutescens ‘Amethyst Falls’
Perfect for adding height and fragrance, Amethyst Falls Wisteria is a twining vine that produces lightly scented purple racemes in spring. It’s a fast-growing option for arbors, trellises, or containers, bringing a touch of romance to any garden.
- Growth: 10 to 15 feet long
- Light: Full sun
- Bonus: Smaller size makes it suitable for compact spaces
8. Forsythia ‘Magical Gold’
While primarily known for its golden yellow blooms that herald spring, Forsythia ‘Magical Gold’ offers a subtle sweetness to its fragrance. Its vibrant flowers create a stunning focal point in mixed borders or as a hedge.
- Growth: 5 feet tall, 4 feet wide
- Light: Full sun
- Bonus: Drought-tolerant once established
Perfect Perennial Companions
Complement these stunning fragrant trees and shrubs with perennials that will thrive in your Bay Area garden, adding texture, color, and even more scent to your landscape. Here are a few top picks:
Lavender (Lavandula spp.): Renowned for its calming fragrance and silvery foliage, lavender pairs beautifully with flowering shrubs like Forsythia and Wisteria.
Salvia (Salvia spp.): With its vibrant flowers and aromatic leaves, salvia attracts pollinators and adds a pop of color beneath trees like Magnolia ‘Genie’.
Heuchera (Coral Bells): Ideal for partial shade, Heuchera’s colorful foliage and delicate blooms complement shrubs like Daphne odora.
Nepeta (Catmint): This low-maintenance perennial brings a soft, cascading effect and works well around lilacs or cherry trees.
Penstemon: Known for its tubular flowers and ability to attract hummingbirds, Penstemon enhances the vertical appeal of gardens with redbuds or apricots.
Geranium (Cranesbill): A hardy choice for ground cover, geraniums provide long-lasting blooms and pair nicely with almost any tree or shrub.
Whether you’re looking to create a privacy screen, a vibrant container garden, or a pollinator haven, SummerWinds Nursery has the perfect selection for your needs. Stop by your local SummerWinds Nursery to explore our fragrant favorites and get expert advice to help your garden thrive.
Please note: Selection may vary by location. Contact your nearest SummerWinds Nursery for availability.
