Some flowers save their best for the moonlight. While many plants release their fragrance in the daytime, these nocturnal bloomers come alive with sweet, rich scents when the sun goes down.
They’re perfect for patios, windowsills, or walkways where you can enjoy their nighttime magic. Here are 10 flowering plants that smell even better after dark.
Night-Blooming Jasmine
Despite the name, this isn’t a true jasmine—but its sweet scent is unforgettable. Night-blooming jasmine releases its fragrance in the evening, filling the air with a rich, musky perfume. It thrives in warm climates and blooms profusely in summer.
Moonflower
This relative of the morning glory opens its large white blooms at dusk. The flowers give off a sweet scent that's especially noticeable in the evening air. Moonflowers climb easily and make a dramatic addition to trellises or fences.
Evening Primrose
As the sun sets, evening primrose unfurls its pale yellow petals and releases a light, lemony fragrance. It's a favorite among nighttime pollinators like moths. Hardy and low-maintenance, it grows well in many climates.
Tuberose
Tuberose produces tall stalks lined with waxy, white flowers that emit a powerful, spicy fragrance at night. Often used in high-end perfumes, this plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Its aroma intensifies after sunset, making it ideal for evening enjoyment.
Angel’s Trumpet
This dramatic plant bears large, pendulous blooms that release a sweet, intoxicating scent in the evening hours. Angel’s trumpet is a showstopper in any garden—but be cautious, as all parts are toxic. Plant it where its fragrance can be enjoyed from a safe distance.
Four O’Clocks
True to their name, four o’clocks open in late afternoon and stay fragrant into the night. They come in vibrant colors and are easy to grow from seed. The scent is light and citrusy, often attracting moths and hummingbirds.
Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco)
Nicotiana's star-shaped blooms release a gentle, honey-like fragrance after dark. Some varieties are more fragrant than others, especially the white-flowered types. These tall, airy plants are great for back borders or containers.
Night Phlox
Also known as “midnight candy,” night phlox emits a sweet scent reminiscent of vanilla and honey when the sun goes down. Its small white or purple flowers may not look like much, but the fragrance is unforgettable. It’s perfect for a patio or balcony garden.
Hesperis (Dame’s Rocket)
This old-fashioned favorite boasts purple or white blooms with a spicy-sweet scent that intensifies at night. It attracts pollinators and grows easily in partial sun or full sun. Hesperis blooms in late spring and early summer.
Brugmansia
Not to be confused with Datura, Brugmansia releases a powerful floral scent in the evening that can fill an entire garden. Its trumpet-shaped flowers are both ornamental and aromatic. Like angel’s trumpet, it’s toxic if ingested, so plant with care.
These night-fragrant plants prove that the garden doesn’t stop being beautiful after sunset. Add them to your space for a sensory experience that lingers long after the sun goes down. Let your evenings bloom with the magic of scent.
Comments
No Comments