You might be wondering, “Aren’t all flowers fragrant?” Well, surprisingly, the answer is no! While many flowers do boast delightful scents, not all of them have that signature fragrance we associate with blooming florals. Here at Bell’s Flowers, we often joke that we’ve become “officially nose-blind” to the smell of flowers after spending so much time surrounded by them every single day. But don’t worry—there are still some blooms that even we, as florists, can’t help but notice. These are the flowers with scents so sweet, so refreshing, and so unmistakable that they stand out even in a sea of beautiful blossoms. Below is a list of these fragrant favorites, each one sure to turn heads (and noses) with its delightful scent.
Stock
At Bell's Flowers, there are very few weeks when we don’t have Stock flowers in stock (and yes, the pun is intentional!). These charming, fragrant blooms are incredibly versatile, making them an ideal choice for just about any occasion. Whether you're looking to add a simple, fragrant touch to your dining room table or are planning a large, extravagant event, Stock flowers are the perfect fit. Their delightful scent—often described as a warm, clove-like fragrance—adds a unique and inviting aroma to any setting.
Garden Roses
Garden roses are often compared to peonies, and for good reason! Both varieties share a similar fluffy appearance, with voluminous petals that create a full, romantic bloom. Due to this resemblance, Bell’s Flowers often recommends garden roses as an excellent substitute when peonies are unavailable. In fact, garden roses might just be some of the most stunning rose varieties out there—not only for their breathtaking appearance but also for their incredible fragrance. These roses smell exactly as you’d expect a rose to smell: rich, sweet, and deeply aromatic. Their scent fills the room, instantly creating an atmosphere of warmth and elegance.
Liliac
Lilac is one of Bell’s Flowers’ absolute favorites to design with during the spring season, and it’s not hard to see why! These beautiful blooms perfectly capture the essence of spring, both in their vibrant colors and in their heavenly scent. In fact, the fragrance of lilac is so fresh and uplifting that it truly feels like springtime has been captured and placed directly into a vase. Their sweet, floral aroma fills the air, evoking memories of warm afternoons, blooming gardens, and the beauty of the changing season.
Double Peonies
Peonies are undoubtedly one of the most requested flowers for weddings. Their lush, blooms and romantic appeal make them the perfect choice for any bridal bouquet or centerpiece. Among the many varieties of peonies, double peonies stand out as particularly special. These exquisite flowers offer a delightful blend of sweet floral notes combined with subtle hints of citrus or even a touch of spice. Double peonies come in a stunning array of colors, ranging from soft pastels like blush pink and lavender to bold shades of coral, red, and even white. Their versatility in color allows them to complement any wedding theme, whether you’re going for a classic, romantic look or a more modern, vibrant palette.
Stargazer Lilies
Stargazer lilies are a popular and often requested choice for sympathy arrangements, and their striking beauty makes them a heartfelt way to express condolences. These lilies, with their bold pink and white petals, not only offer a sense of elegance and grace but also carry a rich, memorable fragrance that adds depth to any arrangement. The scent of Stargazer lilies is quite distinctive—it has a strong, earthy aroma that evokes the freshness of damp soil after a rainfall, bringing to mind the natural, grounding beauty of the earth. This fragrance is often described as sweet and heady, filling the room with a calming, soothing presence that provides comfort during times of loss.
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are another beloved spring favorite here at Bell’s Flowers, though they can sometimes be a bit tricky to acquire due to their delicate nature and seasonal availability. These charming blooms, with their soft, fluttering petals and elegant stems, are known not only for their beauty but also for their incredibly fragrant aroma. The scent of sweet peas is a delightful medley—a perfect blend of honeyed sweetness, the fresh earthiness of newly cut grass, the bright, citrusy notes of orange blossom, the warm, inviting fragrance of hyacinth, and the romantic essence of rose. This harmonious combination creates a fragrance that’s both uplifting and soothing, filling any room with the unmistakable essence of spring.
Hyacinths
Hyacinths are a truly captivating flower, known for their bold, aromatic fragrance that combines a delightful mix of sweetness with a subtle hint of spice. This unique scent makes them one of the most beloved spring flowers, instantly filling any space with their rich, heady perfume. While their stems are often on the shorter side, making them slightly less towering than other blooms, hyacinths more than make up for it with their vibrant, eye-catching colors and unmistakable fragrance.
Gardenias
At Bell's Flowers, we don't often have gardenias in stock, as we reserve these incredibly fragrant blooms for only the most special occasions. However, when we do have them, their intoxicating scent is undeniable! Gardenias are renowned for their rich, creamy fragrance, which is so distinctive and beloved that it has been captured and replicated in a wide variety of products. From candles and soaps to lotions and perfumes, the sweet, floral aroma of gardenias has become a signature scent in many beauty and home care lines.
Lavender
Of course, it wouldn’t be a complete list without including lavender, a true staple in the world of fragrant flowers. Despite its delicate and slender stems, lavender is an incredibly powerful and enchanting scent that can fill an entire room with its presence. The fragrance itself is wonderfully complex, combining a sweet, floral aroma with herbal undertones and a subtle woodsy, evergreen freshness. It's as if the essence of a blooming garden meets the serenity of a forest, creating a scent that is both calming and invigorating at the same time.
Daffodil
Daffodils, with their cheerful golden petals and vibrant hues, are a true symbol of spring, often blooming in abundance as the season shifts from winter to warmer months. Not only do these bright flowers brighten up gardens and landscapes, but they also bring with them a sweet fragrance that’s a delightful blend of honey and vanilla. Their gentle scent is both soothing and uplifting, filling the air with the unmistakable essence of springtime and evoking feelings of warmth and renewal.
However, while daffodils are a favorite for their beauty and fragrance, there’s an interesting (and often surprising) fact about these flowers that many people don’t know. The sap within their stems is actually toxic to other flowers. This sap can harm or shorten the life of surrounding blooms, which is why florists, including us here at Bell's Flowers, take extra precautions when working with daffodils. We have to cut them 24 hours in advance of incorporating them into any floral arrangements to allow the sap to "seal" and dry out. And once they’ve been cut, it’s important not to recut them, as doing so would release more sap and potentially damage the other flowers in the arrangement.