As the sun sets and the air cools, certain plants begin to release a soothing fragrance that transforms outdoor spaces into relaxing retreats. These evening bloomers invite you to enjoy your garden well past daylight hours. Whether you’re hoping to unwind on the patio or attract gentle nighttime visitors, these plants offer beauty and scent that shine after dark. Explore this collection to discover which blooms could brighten your evenings with beauty and fragrance.
1. Night-Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum)
Night-Blooming Jasmine is one of the most fragrant plants you can grow for nighttime enjoyment. Its small, pale green flowers stay closed during the day and open after sunset. As night falls, they release a strong, sweet perfume that can fill an entire garden. Native to the Caribbean and tropical Americas, this plant thrives in warm climates and prefers well-drained soil. It can be grown as a shrub or trained into a small tree. Be mindful that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, so it should be kept away from pets and children.
2. Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)
Moonflower is a fast-growing vine that produces large, white blooms that open at dusk. The flowers glow in the moonlight and release a soft, pleasant scent that attracts moths. Native to tropical and subtropical regions, moonflower vines need full sun and a sturdy trellis or fence to climb. They are related to morning glories and share a similar growth habit. Moonflowers are annuals in cooler areas but can be perennial in warmer zones. They bring a peaceful, magical feeling to evening gardens.
3. Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Evening Primrose is known for its bright yellow flowers that open quickly at sunset. The blooms give off a light lemony scent and attract nighttime pollinators like moths. This biennial plant is native to North America and grows well in sunny spots with dry or sandy soil. It can reach up to five feet tall and has a natural, wildflower look. Aside from its beauty, it is also valued for its seeds, which are used to make evening primrose oil.
4. Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia spp.)
Angel's Trumpet is a tropical plant with large, trumpet-shaped flowers that hang downward. These dramatic blooms give off a powerful fragrance in the evening, especially in warm weather. Angel's Trumpet grows as a shrub or small tree and prefers full sun and rich, moist soil. While stunning, it is important to know that all parts of this plant are toxic. Still, when grown responsibly, it adds bold beauty and scent to night gardens.
5. Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)
Tuberose is prized for its strong, sweet fragrance that becomes most intense after dark. The plant sends up tall flower spikes covered in white blooms that resemble small lilies. Native to Mexico, tuberose grows best in full sun with well-drained soil. It is often used in perfumes because of its rich, long-lasting scent. In the garden, it adds elegance and aroma that carries far into the night air.
6. Nicotiana (Nicotiana alata)
Nicotiana, also called flowering tobacco, opens its blooms in the late afternoon and keeps them open through the night. The scent is strongest at dusk and draws in pollinators like hawk moths. These plants are available in many colors, though the white and pale green varieties are usually the most fragrant. Nicotiana grows well in garden beds or containers and prefers partial to full sun. It adds charm and a sweet nighttime smell to porches and patios.
7. Four O'Clocks (Mirabilis jalapa)
Four O'Clocks get their name because their trumpet-shaped flowers usually open in the late afternoon. As evening sets in, they begin to release a soft, jasmine-like fragrance. These colorful plants can bloom in shades of red, yellow, white, and pink. They thrive in sunny spots and are easy to grow from seed. Although treated as annuals in cooler zones, they can be perennial in warm regions. They offer a cheerful burst of scent and color after the sun goes down.
8. Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens)
Heliotrope is known for its small purple flower clusters and sweet scent that becomes more noticeable as the air cools in the evening. The fragrance is often compared to vanilla or cherry pie. This plant prefers full sun and rich, well-drained soil. It can be grown in garden beds or containers and is often used in borders or along walkways. Heliotrope is a great choice for adding gentle scent to evening outdoor spaces.
9. Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
Gardenia is a classic flowering shrub with creamy white blooms and a rich, floral scent. While the fragrance is present all day, it often seems stronger at night when the air is still. Gardenias like warm weather, acidic soil, and partial shade. They can be tricky to grow but are worth the effort for their beautiful flowers and heady aroma. These shrubs make lovely additions near patios, where their scent can be enjoyed up close.
10. Jasmine (Jasminum officinale)
Jasmine is one of the best-known fragrant plants, and many types give off a stronger scent after sunset. Jasminum officinale, also called poet’s jasmine, has star-shaped white flowers that bloom in clusters. The scent is sweet and calming, often used in teas and oils. Jasmine grows as a climbing vine or sprawling shrub and needs full sun to thrive. It works well along fences, trellises, or walls where the evening breeze can carry its scent.
11. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Sweet Alyssum produces tiny clusters of flowers that are often white, pink, or purple. While the scent is gentle during the day, it becomes more noticeable at night when the temperature drops. The fragrance is light and honey-like, adding a soft aroma to borders or containers. This plant is easy to grow and makes an excellent ground cover. It prefers full sun to partial shade and is especially attractive to beneficial insects.
12. Night Phlox (Zaluzianskya capensis)
Night Phlox is a small, low-growing plant with white and purple blooms that open in the evening. Also known as midnight candy, it gives off a sweet scent similar to honey, almonds, and vanilla. It thrives in full sun with well-drained soil and does well in rock gardens or containers. Though delicate in appearance, it is fairly easy to grow and adds a special fragrance that surprises guests after dark.
13. Chocolate Daisy (Berlandiera lyrata)
Chocolate Daisy is native to the southwestern United States and gets its name from its cocoa-like scent. The yellow flowers open in the early evening and continue blooming through the night. It grows well in hot, dry areas and prefers sandy or rocky soil. This plant is both fragrant and drought-tolerant, making it a good fit for low-maintenance gardens. Its scent is most noticeable at night and early in the morning.
14. Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius)
Mock Orange is a deciduous shrub known for its white, citrus-scented blooms. The fragrance becomes more intense in the evening when the air is calm. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Mock Orange adds a classic look to cottage gardens or formal borders. Though not related to real orange trees, its scent is often compared to orange blossoms.
15. Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum)
Honeysuckle is a climbing vine with sweet-smelling flowers that open in late spring and summer. The scent gets stronger at night, especially during warm, still evenings. It attracts moths and hummingbirds and grows best in full sun with some afternoon shade. Honeysuckle can be trained along fences, arches, or trellises. Its twining vines and lovely aroma make it a favorite for moon gardens.
16. Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
Lilac is a spring-blooming shrub known for its strong, sweet perfume. While its fragrance is present during the day, it can seem even stronger in the cool evening air. Lilacs do best in full sun and well-drained soil. They need a winter chill to bloom well, so they are best suited to colder climates. The blooms are usually purple but can also be white, pink, or blue, adding both beauty and scent to garden borders.
17. Scented Geraniums (Pelargonium spp.)
Scented Geraniums are grown more for their fragrant leaves than their flowers. The scent varies by variety and can smell like rose, lemon, mint, or even nutmeg. The fragrance is most noticeable in the evening when the leaves are brushed or touched. These plants do well in pots or sunny garden beds. They are drought-tolerant and easy to care for, making them a great addition to outdoor sitting areas.
18. Butterfly Ginger Lily (Hedychium coronarium)
Butterfly Ginger Lily is a tropical plant with white, butterfly-shaped flowers that release a strong, sweet scent in the evening. It thrives in moist, rich soil and can grow quite tall, often reaching five to six feet. This plant prefers partial sun and does best in warm climates. The flowers attract butterflies and are perfect for planting near windows or patios where the fragrance can be enjoyed at night.
19. Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)
Star Jasmine is a fast-growing vine with glossy green leaves and white, star-shaped flowers. The blooms release a rich, sweet fragrance that becomes strongest after sunset. It grows well in full sun or partial shade and can be trained along fences, arbors, or walls. Although not a true jasmine, its scent is similar and just as appealing. It’s a favorite for evening gardens and outdoor seating areas.
20. Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
Wisteria is a woody vine with cascading clusters of purple or white flowers. The blooms appear in spring and carry a light, grape-like scent that lingers into the evening. Wisteria needs strong support and plenty of space, as it can grow quite large. It thrives in full sun and requires regular pruning to keep it in shape. Its graceful appearance and gentle evening fragrance make it a stunning addition to pergolas or garden walls.
21. Yucca (Yucca filamentosa)
Yucca is a tough, drought-resistant plant that sends up tall spikes of white, bell-shaped flowers in summer. These blooms are mildly fragrant and most noticeable at night, when they attract moths. Yucca thrives in sandy, well-drained soil and full sun. It adds texture and structure to dry gardens and works well in xeriscaping. While not overpowering, its subtle nighttime scent adds interest to low-maintenance landscapes.
22. Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
Magnolia grandiflora is a large, evergreen tree known for its huge, creamy white flowers and strong lemony scent. The fragrance is strongest on warm evenings when the blooms are fully open. Magnolias prefer full sun and moist, well-drained soil. They make excellent shade trees and provide a stately presence in southern gardens. The flowers appear in late spring and continue through summer.
23. Datura (Datura inoxia)
Datura, sometimes called devil’s trumpet, is a bold plant with large, trumpet-shaped flowers that open in the evening. The scent is powerful and sweet, especially at night when it draws in nocturnal pollinators. Datura grows well in full sun and well-drained soil. It can be grown as an annual in cooler climates or a perennial in warm regions. Like its cousin Brugmansia, all parts of the plant are toxic.
24. Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora)
Sweet Autumn Clematis is a vigorous vine that produces masses of small, white flowers in late summer to early fall. The blooms have a strong, sweet fragrance that becomes more noticeable in the evening. This plant grows quickly and can cover fences, trellises, or arbors in a single season. It prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. Its scent and abundance of blooms make it a standout in any garden.
25. Night-Scented Stock (Matthiola longipetala)
Night-Scented Stock is a modest-looking plant that saves its charm for the evening hours. The small, pale flowers open at dusk and release a soft, clove-like scent. It grows easily from seed and prefers cool weather and well-drained soil. This plant works well in containers or borders near outdoor sitting areas. Its sweet fragrance adds a pleasant surprise to any night garden.
Fragrance That Comes Alive After Sunset
From tall trees to tiny blooms, these plants prove that gardens do not have to sleep when the sun goes down. Each one adds beauty and fragrance to the evening hours, creating a calm and inviting space to relax. Whether you are drawn to bold scents or subtle perfumes, there is a night-scented plant that can bring your outdoor area to life. With the right choices, your garden can become a peaceful retreat filled with delightful surprises after dark.