16 Fragrant Spring-flowering Shrubs: How to Grow, Planting, and Care

The arrival of spring brings warmer weather, longer days, and a riot of color as flowers bloom. While there are many great spring flowering shrubs to choose from, the best ones for your garden depend on your specific needs and preferences. Consider what type of plant you are looking for, as well as your climate and soil conditions, before making a final decision.

You should choose early or late-blooming shrubs if you live in a colder climate area. Early blooming shrubs will flower before the last frost, while late blooming shrubs will flower after the last frost. This way, you can enjoy their flowers all season long. Let’s check out the 16 fragrant spring-flowering shrubs below.

How to choose a suitable spring-flowering shrub for your garden?

When planning your spring garden, consider adding a fragrant flowering shrub. There are wide varieties to choose from, and the right one for your garden will depend on a few factors. First, think about the size of the shrub. Some can reach 6 feet or more, while others stay shorter. Consider the sun and shade in your garden and the soil type. Once you’ve determined these factors, you can narrow your choices and pick the perfect fragrant spring-flowering shrub for your garden.

16 fragrant spring-flowering shrubs

Quince

Flowering Quince is an excellent shrub for early spring. It blooms on old wood, so it’s essential to prune it immediately after flowering. Quince is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide. It has dark green foliage that turns bronze in the fall. In early spring, white or pink flowers appear before the leaves. Quince is also relatively easy to care for and grows in many growing conditions.

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16 Fragrant Spring-flowering Shrubs — Image Source

Quince is a deciduous shrub that produces beautiful, fragrant flowers in shades of white, pink, or red. It blooms in early spring, and its flowers last for several weeks. Quince is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to care for. It needs full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Once it is established, it is drought tolerant. Quince can be used as a specimen plant or in mass plantings. It is also a good choice for hedges or foundation plantings.

Forsythia

Forsythia is one of the best shrubs to bloom in spring, with its bright yellow flowers appearing before the leaves. It’s a fast-growing shrub that can reach10 feet tall and wide, making it the best choice for hedges and screens. Forsythia is drought-tolerant and requires full sun, but it will grow in partial shade. Forsythia is a popular plant for gardens and parks due to its showy flowers, which appear early in spring. The plant can be propagated by seed or cuttings and grow in most soils, although it prefers well-drained soil in full sun.

Jasmine

Jasmine is one of the best fragrant spring flowering shrubs. It has a sweet, intoxicating fragrance that will please everyone in your yard. Jasmine blooms in various colors, including white, pink, and yellow. Jasmine is a hardy plant and can tolerate a wide range of climates.

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Lilac

When it comes to spring flowering shrubs, Lilac is one of the most popular. The beautiful purple flowers of this shrub are known for their sweet fragrance, and they bloom in early to mid-spring. Lilacs are the best addition to any garden. Lilacs are one of the most popular spring flowering shrubs. They come in many colors, including white, pink, purple, and blue. Lilacs have a sweet fragrance that will please anyone who smells it.

Lilacs are one of the best-smelling flowers in spring. They have a very strong fragrance that can fill up a whole room. Lilacs come in many colors, but purple Lilac is the most popular. Lilacs grow on a bush and can get up to 10 feet tall. They bloom in early spring, and the blooms last for about a month.

Crab apple

The Crab apple is a beautiful spring flowering shrub that is perfect for adding color and life to your garden. This hardy plant is relatively easy to care for, and its showy blossoms make it an excellent addition to any landscape. Crab apples come in a wide variety of colors, including white, pink, red, and purple, so you can easily find one that will complement your other plants. They are also available in a wide range of sizes, from dwarf varieties that are only a few feet tall to larger specimens that can reach up to 15 feet.

Magnolia

When it comes to spring-flowering shrubs, Magnolia is one of the most popular choices. These shrubs are known for their large, fragrant flowers that bloom in various colors, including white, pink, and purple. Magnolia shrubs are also relatively easy to care for, making them an excellent choice for those new to gardening.

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Mock orange

Mock orange is one of the most popular spring flowering shrubs. It is a deciduous shrub covered in white or pink flowers in the spring. The flowers have a strong citrus fragrance that can be smelled from far away. Mock orange is a fast-growing shrub reaching up to 6 feet tall. It is a very versatile shrub and can be used as a hedge, border, or specimen plant.

Spirea

If you’re looking for a colorful and cheerful addition to your spring garden, look no further than the spirea. This versatile shrub comes in various colors and sizes. They bloom on new growth in late winter or early spring; you should prune them back to encourage even more flowers. Most Spirea species bloom in the spring, making them a great addition to any garden. The most common Spirea species are the Bridal Wreath Spirea and the Japanese Meadowsweet.

Both of these species are known for their beautiful, cascading flowers. The Bridal Wreath Spirea has white flowers that resemble mini-chandeliers, while the Japanese Meadowsweet has delicate pink flowers. Spirea is relatively easy to care for and makes an excellent choice for beginner gardeners. They prefer full sun but can tolerate shade, so they should be watered regularly during the growing season. Be sure to fertilize your Spirea plants yearly to encourage healthy growth and plenty of blooms.

Hydrangea

Hydrangeas are one of the most popular spring-flowering shrubs. If you’re looking for a fragrant spring-flowering shrub for your garden, consider Hydrangea. You’ll surely enjoy its beauty and wonderful fragrance for many springs to come.

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Redbud

It is small to medium-sized deciduous fragrant tree that grows 20 to 30 feet tall. The leaves are simple, alternate, and heart-shaped with a smooth margin. They are dark green in color and turn yellow or reddish in fall. The flowers are pink, purple, or white and are borne in clusters on bare stems before the leaves appear. The fruit is a flat, dark brown pod maturing in late summer. Redbuds prefer moist, well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. They are relatively drought-tolerant once established.

Weigela

Weigela is a famous spring flowering shrub. It is a deciduous shrub that grows about 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. Weigela has dark green leaves and produces pink, white, or red flowers in the springtime. This shrub prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

Gardenia

If you’re hoping to add a touch of fragrance to your garden this spring, consider planting a gardenia. This shrub is beautiful, with its large, glossy green leaves and fragrant white flowers, but it’s also relatively easy to care for. Gardenias prefer full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. Once established, they’re drought tolerant and don’t need much fertilizer.

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Camellia

Camellia flowers are some of the most beautiful and fragrant flowers in existence. They come in various colors, from white and pink to red, and their fragrance is divine. Unfortunately, Camellias are generally only available for a short time each year, typically from late winter through early spring. If you’re looking for a fragrant spring-flowering shrub, Camellia is the way to go. Flowering usually occurs between late winter and early spring, depending on the species and cultivar. After flowering, Camellias produce small fleshy fruits known as capsules which contain seeds for propagation.

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle is a classic fragrant flowering shrub that has been beloved by gardeners for generations. There are wide varieties of Honeysuckle, all of which are easy to grow and care for. Honeysuckle flowers are typically fragrant, making them an excellent choice for adding scent to your spring garden.

Rhododendron

The Rhododendron is a beautiful spring flowering shrub in many different colors. Rhododendrons can range in size from small bushes to large trees and produce an abundance of highly scented flowers.

Viburnum

Viburnum is a classic spring flowering shrub that comes in wide different varieties. No matter what variety you choose, Viburnum is sure to add beauty to your landscape and provide you with lovely blooms all spring long.

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One of the most popular varieties of Honeysuckle is Japanese Honeysuckle. This vigorous vine is perfect for covering fences or trellises. In the spring, Japanese Honeysuckle produces sweetly scented white or yellow flowers, followed by small black berries in the summer. Trumpet Honeysuckle is another excellent choice for a fragrant spring-flowering shrub. This fast-growing vine produces clusters of tubular red or orange flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees.

Planting and care tips for spring-flowering shrubs

The best time to plant spring-flowering shrubs is in the fall, before the first frost. This gives the roots a chance to establish themselves before the plant starts producing spring flowers. When planting and caring for your shrub, you must keep a few things in mind. First, make sure to choose a spot that gets plenty of sunlight. Shrubs need six hours of sunlight daily to thrive. Secondly, add some organic matter or compost to prepare the soil before planting. This will help the shrub roots get established and grow quickly.

Once you’ve chosen the perfect spot and prepared the soil, it’s time to plant your shrub. Gently loosen the roots before placing the plant in the hole. Backfill with soil, tamping down gently as you go. Water well after planting. Now that your shrub is in the ground, regular watering is essential, especially during dry spells. Be sure not to overwater, though, as this can cause problems such as root rot. Once a week should suffice unless there has been little rainfall.

When spring arrives, fertilize your shrub with an all-purpose fertilizer to encourage growth and flowering. As far as pruning goes, most shrubs only need a light trimming after they bloom in spring. However, if you notice any dead or damaged branches, feel free to remove them at any time of the year. With proper care, your fragrant spring flowering shrub will bring beauty and delight to your landscape for many years.

Conclusion

There are many reasons to love spring-flowering shrubs. They provide color and interest in the garden when not much else is blooming, have lovely fragrances, and attract pollinators. If you want to add springtime beauty to your landscape, consider planting one of these fragrant spring flowering shrubs. From delicate blooms to sweet-smelling foliage, these plants will infuse your outdoor space with their delightful fragrance.