Fragrant Garden Plants - Scented Flowers & Aromatic Herbs

Lavender ‘Margaret Roberts’ is one of South Africa’s most beloved lavender varieties, celebrated for its fragrance, resilience, and iconic purple blooms. Hardy, evergreen, and naturally waterwise, it thrives in the Western Cape’s sunny climate and keeps gardens looking beautiful year-round.

From spring into summer, tall silver-green stems produce masses of purple flower spikes, filling the air with scent and attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Plant in full sun with well-drained soil, and trim after flowering to maintain shape and enjoy repeat flushes of flowers.

While Lavenders can thrive in pots, ensure you use high-quality, well-draining potting soil. For optimal growth, consider fertilizing Lavender 'Margaret Roberts' from spring to autumn with products like Atlantic Bio Ocean or Vigorosa 5:1:5.

Beloved for its intoxicating fragrance, Star Jasmine transforms fences, arches, and pergolas into living features. Its evergreen foliage gives structure all year, while the profusion of starry white blooms in spring and summer fills the garden with scent. It can also be clipped into hedges or used as a groundcover, making it one of the most versatile climbers/shrubs for Western Cape gardens. A timeless favourite for entrances, patios, and pergolas.

To ensure optimal growth, plant the Star jasmine in well-drained soil enriched with compost.

Salvia Leucantha, an evergreen perennial, features fuzzy white stems, grey-green leaves, and velvet-like purple flower spikes. This tough and wind-resistant shrub blooms in late summer, reaching its peak beauty in early autumn.

For optimal growth, plant it in well-drained soil with full to partial sun. Ensure proper spacing and enrich the soil with organic compost.

To care for Salvia Leucantha, water regularly without over-soaking the soil, apply balanced fertilizer in spring, and prune in late winter. Adding mulch around the base conserves moisture and reduces weed growth.

This low-maintenance beauty is perfect for effortless landscaping.

Vigorous grower and a heavy bearer of juicy fruit with a high acidity. Fruit ripens from early winter into spring. Well drained soil is essential. Will produce fruit at maturity (3-5 yrs old)

Tulbaghia violacea, commonly known as Wild Garlic or Wildeknoffel, is a tough, clump-forming perennial that delivers colour and fragrance from midsummer to autumn. Its narrow leaves and tall stems carry clusters of violet flowers, creating a striking display when mass-planted in borders, pathways, or rockeries.

Beyond its beauty, Wild Garlic is edible — the leaves can be used as a mild substitute for garlic or chives in cooking. Plant in full sun or semi-shade in well-drained soil. Once established, it is drought-resistant, low-maintenance, and easy to grow, making it one of the most reliable indigenous perennials for Western Cape gardens.

Granadilla,also known as 'Purple Passionfruit', is a vigorous vine-like climber valued for its edible fruit in summer. Clings by its tendrils to almost any support. Bears attractive purple and white flowers in Spring. First fruits should be ready for harvesting 6-9 months after planting.  After its second year it should bear fruit twice a year. Peak fruit season being August to November and February to June. Requires plenty of water in its growing period. Granadilla can also be grown indoors if positioned in a very light spot.

 Starry Wild Jasmine,also known as 'Boerejasmyn', is a  versatile semi-climber that can reach up to 3m in height or transform into a compact, tidy hedge when pruned. Its fragrant, white flowers with delicate pink undersides grace your garden from September to January.

Notably, the Starry Wild Jasmine is indigenous, promoting biodiversity, and its exquisite fragrance makes it a delightful choice for attracting pollinators and enhancing your garden's sensory experience.

Fantastic for making barbecue skewers - just thread meat or veg on the stems. Rosemary is a woody perennial herb with aromatic needle-like leaves. Perfect choice for a fragrant low hedge or planted in a container. Bright blue flowers in late winter or spring.  Attractive and drought-tolerant. Many culinary and medicinal uses. 

Princess Lavender, also known as Butterfly Lavender, is a compact, eye-catching variety of Lavandula stoechas with vivid pink-purple flower heads topped by wing-like petals that resemble butterflies in flight. This fragrant, evergreen shrub brings long-lasting colour and charm to pots, pathways, borders, and small garden spaces.

 A sun-loving plant, it thrives in well-draining soil and is well-suited to waterwise and coastal gardens in the Western Cape. Princess Lavender flowers generously from spring to early autumn and attracts bees and butterflies with its aromatic blooms. Light pruning after flowering encourages compact growth and more blooms.

The Rose Iceberg is one of the world’s most celebrated floribunda roses, prized for its profusion of pristine white blooms that appear continuously from spring to autumn. Renowned for its reliability and elegance, Iceberg adds timeless beauty to beds, borders, and mass plantings, while also making an excellent cut flower. Its vigorous, upright habit and pure blooms make it a favourite for Cape Town gardens and landscaping projects.

Exceptionally hardy and low-maintenance, Iceberg thrives in full sun and well-draining, compost-enriched soil. Feed with a balanced rose fertiliser in spring and again after each flush, or apply Vigorosa to revitalise yellowing leaves. For best performance, prune in mid-July and mid-January, water deeply at the base, mulch to retain moisture, and deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. With minimal care, this floribunda delivers season-long displays of classic white beauty.

This popular decorative plant is grown for its abundance of tri-color, fragrant flowers in spring. The purple flowers soften to a lavender colour and finally fade to white. Fantastic when planted with azaleas & camellias. Also flowers in autumn.

A popular indigenous garden plant with variegated leaves and pinkish-mauve flowers in summertime. Very useful to fill difficult hot corners in your garden, as it is drought-resistant, but will flourish with regular watering. A perfect groundcover to cover large areas and also excellent used as borders or edging. The leaves and flowers are edible, and can be used in salads and other dishes.

The Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) is a truly special garden climber, and not always easy to find – making it a prized addition when you can lay your hands on one. This vigorous, deciduous climber produces spectacular cascades of violet-blue or sometimes white, sweetly scented flowers in spring. Perfect for training over a sunny wall, pergola, or arch, it also looks enchanting when left to ramble naturally through mature trees and shrubs, creating a romantic, woodland feel in Western Cape gardens.

Wisteria requires a sturdy support structure, as mature plants become heavy with age. Plant in fertile, well-draining soil in full sun for the best flowering. Feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser and prune twice a year – once in midsummer to control growth and again in late winter to encourage flower buds. With patience and care, this climber rewards with breathtaking seasonal displays and timeless elegance, making it one of the most coveted flowering climbers for Cape Town gardeners.

The Iceberg Standard Rose takes the world-famous Iceberg to new heights, trained as a standard for striking garden architecture. Its pure white floribunda blooms appear in profusion from spring through autumn, set against glossy green foliage with a light, delicate fragrance. Beautiful as a specimen in pots, along pathways, or planted en-masse with lavender, it creates an enchanting display of elegance and charm in Cape Town gardens.

Hardy and disease-resistant, the Iceberg Standard Rose is ideal for both beginners and seasoned gardeners. Plant in full sun with well-draining, compost-enriched soil for best results. Feed with a balanced rose fertiliser in spring and after each flush to encourage repeat blooms, prune lightly in winter to maintain shape, and water deeply at the base to promote strong roots. With minimal care, this rose rewards with season-long colour and effortless beauty.

Lavandula Anouk White is a compact French lavender that produces soft lilac-purple flower spikes crowned with elegant white bracts, creating a striking two-toned effect. Highly fragrant and long-lasting, it flowers from mid-spring into early summer, bringing both beauty and scent to borders, pots, and pathways.

This hardy, waterwise lavender thrives in full sun with good air circulation and well-drained soil. Once established, it needs only light watering and is naturally drought-tolerant. Plant 30–40 cm apart for a massed display, and enjoy a garden alive with bees and butterflies while benefiting from a tough, low-maintenance plant perfectly suited to Western Cape conditions.

 Lavandula stoechas (Mauve-Lilac) is a compact, hardy lavender that dazzles with soft mauve-lilac flower heads topped by butterfly-like petals. Its aromatic silver-green foliage and long-lasting blooms make it both beautiful and fragrant, flowering reliably from mid-spring through early summer.

Perfect for borders, pots, and pathways, this lavender thrives in full sun with good air circulation and well-drained soil. Once established, it needs minimal watering, making it a waterwise choice for Western Cape gardens. Plant 30–40 cm apart for a massed display that draws bees and butterflies while adding colour, scent, and elegance to your garden.

The world's most popular Floribunda rose known for masses of fragrant flowers.

A lovely little carnation with a mounded habit.  I Love U displays a full range of colours from deep pink to soft rose, pink and white.  Blooms are strongly fragrant and will attract bees, hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden. Low maintenance and can be grown outdoors as well as indoors.

The Rose Simplicity is a celebrated floribunda rose producing clusters of medium-pink, semi-double flowers across the season. Its buds open into flat, softly hued flowers that repeat in flushes from spring through to autumn. With a medium, bushy habit and leathery foliage, it works beautifully in hedges, mass plantings or as specimen shrubs, offering consistent charm in garden designs.

Vigorous and disease-resistant, Simplicity thrives in full sun with well-draining, compost-enriched soil. Feed with a balanced rose fertiliser in early spring and after each flowering flush to sustain bloom, and prune lightly in winter to maintain form. Water deeply at the base, mulch to conserve moisture, and deadhead spent clusters to encourage fresh blossoms. A reliable and elegant choice for Cape Town gardens, Rose Simplicity delivers enduring floribunda beauty with minimal fuss.

Aromatic and elegant, Lavendar “Holland Supreme” forms a compact mound of silvery-green foliage topped by upright, deep violet flower spikes crowned with petal “ears.” These dramatic blooms emerge in spring and linger into early summer, creating an undulating sea of rich lavender-purple.

Perfect for mass plantings, mixed borders, or container accents, this variety is equally striking in beds or pots. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and easy-care—just ensure full sun, excellent drainage, and a light trim after flowering to maintain shape and encourage reblooming.

A vibrant and modern carnation with an upright habit.  Pink Kisses is early flowering with an abundance of two-toned scented flowers.  Ideal for containers and will look very attractive on a windowsill.  

Purple and bloom is a bit more compact than Black & bloom and it grows more vigorously. Heat tolerant and hardy. Will attract birds & butterflies to the garden.

Laurustinus Lucidum,also known as 'Wild Laurel', is widely considered to be a 'Golden oldie'. This versatile plant remains popular for its ability to be a perfect specimen for use in small gardens, in pots and even on balconies. In late winter flattish heads of pink flower buds appear, opening into tiny white flowers. Clusters of small metallic-blue berries mature in autumn. 'Wild Laurel' is a  popular evergreen choice for hedging and also often grown as a compact standard tree. 

 A resilient shrub boasting lush green foliage and magnificent bursts of pink or white blooms each spring. Elevate your garden effortlessly with its low-maintenance charm. Shape it into the hedge of your dreams or let it flourish in pots or beds.

Berg Buchu (Agathosma ciliaris) is a stunning indigenous fynbos shrub that transforms your garden with authentic South African beauty. This aromatic evergreen produces masses of delicate white or pink flowers from autumn through winter, creating spectacular displays when most plants are dormant.

The fragrant foliage releases delightful buchu scent when touched.  This shrub handles salt spray and wind making it coastal tough.  Ideal for spots and small spaces

Plant in well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade. Minimal maintenance required - simply prune lightly after flowering.

A fast growing evergreen indigenous tree that will attract birds to your garden and will tolerate heavy winds and drought conditions even though it naturally prefers to grow along river banks. 

The forest elder is an attractive, moisture-loving, medium-sized tree. This tree will give you an abundance of white flowers in the grey winter months and is an excellent investment for a focal feature in a smaller garden.  It has been classified as having a non invasive root system. Evergreen. Cut to any size. Suitable for planting in pots.

Peach Party has a compact habit and will bloom all summer long.  The Single scented flowers are a soft apricot colour in Spring and will develop a vivid red eye in the centre in Summer.  Ideal for pots and small spaces in the garden.

Carnation ‘Purple Wedding’ is an early-flowering variety with an upright, compact habit that blooms for months on end. Its striking bi-colour flowers open in vivid shades of magenta and purple with a deep, velvety eye, set against fresh green foliage. Perfect for adding bold colour to beds, borders, or pots, these blooms are also long-lasting when picked for the vase.

This hardy carnation thrives in full sun with well-drained soil and rewards with continuous colour from spring into summer. Low-maintenance and pollinator-friendly, it draws bees and birds to the garden while also making a cheerful indoor pot plant. Plant 25–30 cm apart for a full, flowering display that delivers impact with very little effort.

Royal Crown is an evergreen bushy shrub, with fragrant, linear leaves and blue-purple flowers from spring to summer. Perfect for creating hedges, bordering pathways, and planting in large groups.

An evergreen, bushy perennial.  Trailing when mature with rounded mid-green leaves and clusters of orange pink bloooms.  Ideal for pots and containers.

A hardy evergreen shrub with bright yellow flowers, which fade to rusty-orange and then a reddish brown.  Aromatic grey leaves will attract brids, bees and butterflies to the garden.  An easy and fast growing shrub, which is drought resistant. Also known as Salvia Aurea.

This magnificent magnolia is a spreading tree or large shrub with a profusion of goblet-shaped, fragrant flowers in white, pink, purple or red-purple. The blooms appear on naked branches, before the leaves unfold.

The Rose My Granny is a much-loved shrub rose with generous, soft pink double blooms that exude old-world charm. Its abundant flowering habit and healthy, vigorous growth make it a reliable favourite for Cape Town gardens, producing wave after wave of romantic colour from spring into autumn. With its nostalgic beauty, it creates a standout display in borders, beds, and cottage-style gardens, and is equally admired as a cut flower.

Hardy and easy to grow, My Granny thrives in full sun with well-draining, compost-enriched soil. Feed with a balanced rose fertiliser in early spring and again after each flush to encourage prolific repeat flowering. Regular deep watering, mulching, and light winter pruning will keep the shrub strong and blooming. A timeless classic, Rose My Granny rewards with reliability, elegance, and an abundance of blooms.

An excellent tub subject for patios. Evergreen and indigenous.

When young, the leaves have a rosy tinge and the stems are red. It bears spikes of sweetly scented creamy-white flowers in autumn.

This attractive evergreen tree will attract insects to your garden.   This is a relatively small tree, growing well in sun and shade. Prefers a cool and moist environment and therefore best to avoid hot, dry areas in the garden.

With a non-invasive root system it can be planted about 2 m from a building or pool. 

Frangipanis are compact tropical trees known for their intensely sweet-scented flowers that bloom abundantly from spring through autumn. They come in a range of colors. This striking deciduous tree is tolerant of windy and coastal environments and adapts well to container growth. It features a root system classified as non-invasive. Note that all parts of the Frangipani are mildly toxic.

Frangipani’s are small tropical trees with highly fragrant flowers that bloom freely from spring to autumn. Various colours are available. This spectacular deciduous tree handles wind and coastal conditions. They grow well in pots.  This tree has been classified as having a non invasive root system. All parts of the Frangipani are considered mildly toxic.

Frangipanis are small tropical trees with lovely scented flowers that bloom from spring to autumn. They come in different colors and can grow well in pots. This tree can withstand wind and coastal weather and has a root system that doesn’t spread aggressively. Be aware that all parts of the Frangipani are mildly toxic.

Brilliant Pink Iceberg Rose (Rosa 'Iceberg') features delicate, soft pink blooms that create a timeless, elegant look in any garden. Known for its strong disease resistance and continuous flowering, this variety offers long-lasting beauty throughout the season. Perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to borders, containers, or landscapes, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an easy-care, stunning choice for your outdoor space.

An early flowering carnation with an upright habit, that will last for months.  Beautiful bi-colour blooms in shades of pink and purple against dark green foliage, will attract bees and birds to the garden.  Ideal for pots and beds.

This Gardenia has a smaller leaf than other types of gardenias, but the large double white blooms is just as beautiful and fragrant. Flowers bloom during spring and early summer. 

This evergreen shrub thrives in indirect sunlight. It requires well-drained, acidic soil enriched with organic matter. Regular watering is essential, but take care not to overwater, as their roots are sensitive to waterlogged conditions.

This rose is one of the best garden whites, it is almost an immaculate white. These flowers are carried on straight stems and last extremely well on the bush or in the vase. A beautiful flower for white weddings. The bush grows vigorously and prolific.

Vigorous and heat tolerant, the Garden Snapdragon boasts an upright growth habit and striking, fragrant deep red blooms on tall spikes that attract bees and hummingbirds. This early bloomer is also ideal for use as cut flowers.

An early flowering carnation with an upright habit, that will last for months.  Beautiful bi-colour blooms in dark & light pink, against dark green foliage, will attract bees and birds to the garden.  Ideal for pots and beds.

This compact, evergreen shrub with its beautiful dark green leaves and sweetly fragranced pure-white blooms has an extremely long blooming season. They also make wonderful container plants.

A lovely upright perennial ideal for indoor and outdoor use.  Flowers abundantly from Autumn to early Summer with scented, dark magenta semi-double flowers above grey-green foliage.  Perfect for pots and containers.

A beautiful evergreen, variegated Trachelospermum, that features bright green, white and pink leaves. It produces fragrant, small white flowers from late spring to autumn. Ideal as a wonderful ground cover and admired for its interesting foliage. Although it is a slow growing plant it makes a statement in a garden

The Rose Gorgeous Paramount is a standout hybrid tea rose with large, showy blooms blending shades of pink, yellow, and orange. Lightly fragrant and easy to grow, it flowers abundantly through the summer, creating vibrant colour and elegance in Western Cape gardens. Perfect for beds, borders, or as striking cut flowers, this rose is a true highlight in any collection.

Hardy and sun-loving, Gorgeous Paramount thrives in full sun with well-draining, compost-enriched soil. Feed with a balanced rose fertiliser in spring and again after the first flush of blooms to encourage repeat flowering. Deep watering, mulching to retain moisture, and pruning in winter will keep the plant vigorous and healthy. With regular care, it rewards with lasting colour and reliable performance.

The foliage of Eve Prince is finer than other Viburnums. This medium sized, evergreen shrub has dark green leaves and heads of small pink-tinged white flowers in late winter/early spring followed by small blue-black berries. Drought and wind tolerant. Ideal to clip into a hedge or screen. Eve Prince is suitable for container gardening or as a stand-alone specimen in garden beds.

Dianthus 'Aura' (Carnation) is a vibrant, fragrant perennial that brings delightful scented pink and white flowers to your garden. This compact carnation produces an abundance of beautifully scented blooms with its upright, neat habit making it perfect for containers, garden beds, borders, and cutting gardens. The fragrant flowers attract butterflies and beneficial insects while providing continuous colour throughout the growing season.

Thrives in full sun positions with well-draining soil. Drought tolerant once established and prefers slightly alkaline conditions. Excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements.

The Rose Knock Out Standard is a show-stopping rose, admired for its non-stop display of vibrant blooms from spring through autumn. Trained as a standard for garden impact, it offers clusters of semi-double flowers in striking shades, set proudly against glossy green foliage. Compact yet vigorous, it adds instant colour and height to pathways, borders, or mass plantings, and is equally effective as a feature in pots.

Renowned for its toughness, the Knock Out Standard thrives with minimal care. It is naturally resistant to common rose diseases, making it perfect for beginner and experienced gardeners alike. Plant in full sun with well-draining soil enriched with compost, and feed with a balanced rose fertiliser in spring and after each flush to keep blooms abundant. Deep watering at the base, mulching to conserve moisture, and light winter pruning will keep it neat and healthy. A resilient choice for Cape Town gardens, this rose delivers season-long colour with ease.

The plant is medium to tall sized and will grow vigorously. 'Vera Johns' is a Hybrid Tea rose which produces abundant, large, light orange and salmon flowers and has received praise from many gardeners. The pointed buds unfold, reaching a perfect star formation. A very fragrant garden rose, excellent for picking and showing off in a vase.

Rose 'Mamma Mia' delivers fragrant soft pink blooms repeatedly throughout the season, growing 120cm tall by 30cm wide in full sun. This medium-sized rose bush thrives in Cape Town gardens with regular watering and well-draining soil, perfect for small gardens and patios.

Plant 60-80cm apart for beautiful displays and feed monthly with rose fertilizer during growing season for abundant blooms. Ideal for containers, garden beds, and borders, this charming rose brings months of beautiful colour and delightful fragrance to your outdoor sanctuary.

 Carnation Sunflor ‘Dynamite’ lives up to its name with an explosion of deep, velvety crimson double blooms that stand proudly above neat grey-green foliage. Flowering abundantly from spring right through to late autumn, this compact perennial delivers months of drama, fragrance, and colour.

Perfect for beds, borders, and containers, ‘Dynamite’ adds instant elegance indoors or outdoors. Plant in clusters for a breathtaking display, or keep one near entrances and patios where its sweet scent and striking colour can be enjoyed up close. Hardy, compact, and easy to care for — it’s a must-have for gardeners who want maximum impact with minimal fuss.

An early flowering carnation with an upright habit, that will last for months.  Beautiful double blooms in dark red against dark green foliage, will attract bees and birds to the garden.  Ideal for pots and beds.

The Rose Princess Charlene de Monaco is an elegant hybrid tea rose with large, ruffled blooms that exude old-world romance. Depending on the weather, flowers range from warm peach to soft blush pink, releasing a delightful fragrance that lingers in the garden or the vase. Flowering generously from spring through autumn, it creates a luxurious display in beds, borders, or as part of mass plantings.

Hardy and disease-resistant, Princess Charlene de Monaco is both reliable and low maintenance. Plant in full sun with well-draining, compost-enriched soil for best performance. Feed with a balanced rose fertiliser in early spring, repeat after each flush, and boost with potassium mid-season to encourage abundant blooms. Deep watering, mulching, and light winter pruning will keep this rose vigorous. A true standout for Cape Town gardens, it combines beauty, fragrance, and resilience.

Rose John Paul II is one of the most breathtaking white roses you can plant in your Western Cape garden. Its huge, double blooms glow pure white and release a fresh citrus fragrance that fills the air. From spring right through to autumn, it flowers generously, making it a true star performer.

This hybrid tea rose grows into an upright bush about 1–1.5 m tall, with glossy dark green leaves that provide the perfect contrast to its radiant blooms. Hardy and disease-resistant, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, performing beautifully in Cape Town and surrounding areas.

Perfect as a specimen rose, in borders, or as cut flowers for the home, Rose John Paul II combines elegance, fragrance, and strength — a must-have for any serious rose lover.

An early flowering carnation with an upright habit, that will last for months.  Beautiful bi-colour blooms in light pink, with a maroon centre against dark green foliage, will attract bees and birds to the garden.  Ideal for pots and beds.

The Rose Five Roses is a commanding hybrid tea rose with long, pointed carmine-red buds that open into super-sized, exhibition-quality blooms. The flowers are perfectly shaped, rich in colour, and proudly displayed on strong upright stems. With its tall growth and vibrant presence, this rose adds a bold splash of drama to any garden, whether in borders, beds, or as a stand-alone showpiece. Its firm petals and elegant form also make it a sought-after cut flower for striking vase arrangements.

Vigorous and resilient, Five Roses thrives in full sun and well-draining soil enriched with compost. Feed in early spring with a balanced rose fertiliser, repeat after the first flush of flowers, and give a potassium-rich booster mid-season to prolong blooming. Regular deep watering, mulching, and light winter pruning will ensure strong growth and repeat flowering. A true classic for Cape Town gardens, Rose Five Roses rewards with exhibition-style beauty and season-long impact.