Hydrangeas: A Fragrant Bloom Or Just A Pretty Face?

Hydrangeas are popular flowers, often grown for their colourful, big, bushy blooms. But do they have a fragrance? Well, it turns out that not all hydrangeas are fragrant, but some species and cultivated varieties do have a scent. The American varieties, such as the oakleaf hydrangea, are said to have a fragrance, while the more colourful Asian varieties do not. The scent of the oakleaf hydrangea is described as a rich honey-vanilla fragrance, while other varieties have a slight floral or fruity fragrance. So, if you're looking for a fragrant hydrangea to add to your garden, the American varieties are a good place to start.

The 'Snow Queen' variety of Hydrangea quercifolia has a sweet fragrance

Hydrangeas are popular for their colourful, big, bushy blooms, but not all varieties have a fragrance to match their flowers. The Snow Queen variety of Hydrangea quercifolia, commonly known as the Oakleaf Hydrangea, is one of the fragrant exceptions.

The Oakleaf Hydrangea is native to the southeastern United States, and it grows in the Piedmont and coastal plains. It can grow to be nearly thirty feet in the wild and has a large open crown. In the wild, they often form large thickets as the plant spreads via underground stems. The large five-lobed leaves resemble those of an oak, but they are much larger—up to eight inches in length—and turn a brilliant red in the fall.

The Snow Queen variety of Oakleaf Hydrangea has a sweet fragrance. Its scent is subtle, unlike the permeating fragrance of a lilac, but it is still gorgeous and worth seeking out when the plant is in bloom. The fragrance is best brought out by heat and humidity. The flowers are also highly attractive to pollinators.

The Snow Queen Hydrangea is a great addition to a garden, with its manageable size of four to six feet tall and a spread of up to eight feet. It is perfect for foundation plantings and hedges, with attractive, oak-like foliage. It blooms from June to July, with strikingly large and upright flower panicles in a bright, snowy shade of white. The flowers stand up well against wind and rain and contrast beautifully with the bronzey-red fall foliage, adding multi-season appeal.

Hydrangea paniculata has a strong scent

Not all hydrangeas are fragrant, but some species do have a wonderful scent. One of these is the Hydrangea paniculata, which has a "slight floral scent" or a "mild fruity fragrance". The flowers of the Hydrangea paniculata are cone-shaped and strongly scented, averaging 8 inches long and 6 inches wide. They start out white and then turn pink. The PeeGee hydrangea, or Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora', is a variety of Hydrangea paniculata with a particularly sweet scent.

The Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' is a beautiful, chartreuse-tinted variety of Hydrangea paniculata. It has a gorgeous colour and fragrance and is a late-summer beauty in the garden. Its blossoms can be cut and put in vases, filling rooms with their scent.

The Hydrangea paniculata is a member of the panicled hydrangea clan and is unabashedly feminine. It has a voluptuous, lacy appearance and is sometimes blushing and always glowing. It attracts bees and other pollinators with its scent and beauty.

The Hydrangea paniculata is a romantic addition to any garden. It pairs well with the Fagus sylvatica 'Riversii', a European copper beech with dark, masculine, leather-like leaves. While the Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight' attains a modest 6-10 feet in height, the Fagus sylvatica 'Riversii' stretches to 40 feet or more, creating a fashionable pair in the autumn garden.

Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris is a fragrant climbing hydrangea

Not all hydrangeas are fragrant, but some cultivated varieties have a wonderful scent. One such variety is the Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris, commonly known as the Climbing Hydrangea. This variety is a deciduous vine native to the woodlands of Japan and Korea. It is cherished for its ability to cover structures and walls with lush foliage and beautiful flowers, growing up to 40 feet or more.

The Climbing Hydrangea is distinguished by its stunning white flower clusters, which bloom in late spring to early summer. These flowers are borne in large, flat-topped clusters, creating a beautiful display against the heart-shaped dark green foliage. The blooms are not only beautiful but also sweetly fragrant, attracting pollinators such as butterflies to the garden.

The Climbing Hydrangea thrives in shady, moist environments and is commonly found in forested areas, climbing on trees and other structures. It is well-suited for gardens that mimic these natural conditions, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to add vertical interest. The lateral branches extend up to 3 feet from the supporting structure, giving it a rich, deep texture that sets it apart from other vines.

In addition to its fragrant flowers, the Climbing Hydrangea also offers year-round visual interest. The foliage turns shades of golden-yellow in the fall, and the trunk, with its reddish-brown exfoliating bark, adds a splash of colour to the winter landscape. Overall, the Climbing Hydrangea is a prized choice for gardeners due to its versatility, ability to thrive in various conditions, and stunning floral displays.

Hydrangea angustipetala and its cultivar ‘Golden Crane’ are said to smell like jasmine

Not all hydrangeas are fragrant, but some species and cultivated varieties do have a pleasant scent. One such variety is the Hydrangea angustipetala 'Golden Crane', also known as 'MonLongShou'. This rare deciduous shrub is said to smell strongly of jasmine or sweet alyssum, with a faint but beguiling fragrance. It has amazing white lacecaps with golden yellow central florets and can grow to a height and width of 3-4 feet. 'Golden Crane' is one of the earliest blooming Hydrangeas, starting in March or April and continuing into the summer. It is a beautiful addition to any garden and is best planted in part shade with regular watering and good garden soil.

The Hydrangea angustipetala species is native to warm temperate and subtropical forests in East Asia and the United States, and there are many wild varieties. While most garden hydrangeas are grown for their colourful, big, bushy blooms, the American varieties stand out for their fragrance. The 'Golden Crane' cultivar, in particular, is known for its jasmine-like scent. This variety is also unique for its early blooming and striking chartreuse fertile flowers.

When it comes to fragrant hydrangeas, another variety to consider is the Hydrangea quercifolia, which has a rich honey-vanilla scent. This shrub is a magnet for pollinators such as honeybees, bumblebees, pollen wasps, and syrphid flies. Its inner flowers are fertile, while the outer sepals are sterile and more dramatic in appearance. Wild hydrangeas tend to have more fertile flowers, which are more useful for pollinators.

In addition to 'Golden Crane', there are other cultivated varieties of Hydrangea angustipetala that are known for their fragrance. Some hybrids of Hydrangea macrophylla x Hydrangea angustipetala, such as 'Ayesha', are said to have a delicate fragrance in bloom. These hybrids combine the features of both parent species, resulting in a unique and pleasing scent.

When choosing a fragrant hydrangea for your garden, it is important to keep in mind that everyone's sense of smell is different. It is recommended to seek out flowering examples in nurseries, gardens, or large parks and conduct a sniff test to determine which variety has a scent that appeals to you.

Hydrangea scandens has a powerful fragrance in March and April

Hydrangeas are popular for their showy blooms, but not all varieties have a fragrance. Some species and cultivated varieties of hydrangeas are reported to have a pleasant scent. One such variety is the Hydrangea scandens, which is noted for its powerful fragrance in March and April.

Hydrangea scandens is described as a sprawling shrub with pleasing burgundy-brown branches and lacy, cream-colored flowers. The fragrance of the flowers is said to be powerful and fragrant during the early spring months of March and April. The 'Fragrant Splash' cultivar of Hydrangea scandens is particularly noted for its fragrance. This cultivar, also known as H. scandens 'Fragrant Splash', has variegated foliage that adds to its aesthetic appeal.

The 'Fragrant Splash' variety has dangling stems covered in unusual foliage and small, white flowers. The leaves are a mix of solid black, green-and-white variegated, and black-and-green variegated, all on the same branch. The white lacecap flowers appear in early spring, typically at the end of March. The leaves and flowers are small and dainty, but the fragrance is described as fresh and sweet, drawing you towards the plant.

Hydrangea scandens 'Fragrant Splash' is an elegant addition to any garden, with its refined nature and powerful fragrance. It grows to a mature size of around 5 feet in height and width. The leaves initially emerge in shades of purple, then turn green with white splashes, and finally, in the fall, they become a soft yellow marbled with bronze-purple. This variety is quite rare and not commonly seen, but it is a beautiful addition to any garden.

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