Scented Shrubs for a Winter Garden: How to Create a Fragrant Border That Blooms in the Cold

Winter gardens often get overlooked, seen as dormant spaces waiting for spring’s revival. But with the right planting, your garden can be a sensory delight even in the coldest months. Scented shrubs are the secret to creating a winter border that not only looks beautiful but also smells divine which really lifts the spirits on grey days and adding unexpected joy to frosty mornings.

Here’s how to design a winter border filled with fragrance, featuring some of the UK’s most beloved scented shrubs: Daphne, Sweet Box, Witch Hazel, and more.

Why Choose Scented Shrubs for Winter?

Winter-scented shrubs offer:

• Fragrance when little else is blooming
• Structure and evergreen interest
• Pollinator-friendly blooms for early insects
• A reason to step outside, even on chilly days

Planted near paths, doorways, or seating areas, these shrubs release their perfume into the crisp air, creating a garden that feels alive and welcoming.

Here’s my top 7 shrubs:

Daphne odora – The Queen of Winter Fragrance

Daphne odora is a true winter gem. This evergreen shrub produces clusters of pink or white flowers from late January into March, each one bursting with a sweet, citrusy scent that can fill the garden.

• Best for: Part-shade, sheltered spots with well-drained soil
• Height: Up to 1.5m
• Tip: Avoid moving it once planted—daphnes dislike disturbance

Pair it with hellebores or snowdrops for a soft, romantic look. Its glossy leaves and compact habit make it ideal for borders near entrances or patios.

Sarcococca (Sweet Box)

Sarcococca confusa, often called sweet box or Christmas box, is a compact evergreen shrub with tiny creamy-white flowers that bloom from December to February. Though the flowers are insignificant, the scent is intensely sweet and lovely.

• Best for: Shady areas, underplanting larger shrubs or trees
• Height: 60cm to 2m depending on variety
• Varieties to try: ‘Purple Stem’ for added colour, or ‘Dragon Gate’ with red berries

Its low-maintenance nature and tolerance for shade make it perfect for tricky corners or north-facing borders.

Hamamelis (commonly known as Witch Hazel)

Witch hazels are known for their spidery, ribbon-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red. Many varieties are scented, with a spicy, sweet aroma that drifts through the garden on cold days.

• Best for: Acidic, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade
• Height: 2–4m
• Top pick: Hamamelis × intermedia ‘Pallida’ – bright yellow flowers and strong scent and flowers from December to February.

Plant witch hazel as a focal point in your winter border. Its architectural form and early blooms make it a standout, especially against bare branches and frosty ground.

Chimonanthus praecox (Wintersweet)

This deciduous shrub produces pale yellow flowers with purple centres and has a heady, spicy fragrance from December to February/late winter. It thrives in sunny, sheltered spots and

• Best for: South-facing walls or sheltered borders in any soil
• Height: Up to 3m approx
• Tip: Allow space for its graceful arching habit

Wintersweet pairs beautifully with evergreens shrubs such as the Sarcococca and Daphne along with some Hellebores to create a beautiful mixed winter border.

Lonicera fragrantissima (Winter Honeysuckle)

Unlike its climbing cousins, this bushy honeysuckle shrub offers creamy-white flowers with a lemony scent from January onwards. It’s easy to grow and tolerant of most conditions. Its semi-evergreen or deciduous.

• Best for: Informal borders or near seating areas
• Height: 1.5–2m
• Bonus: Attracts early pollinators

Its relaxed habit makes it ideal for cottage-style gardens and wildlife-friendly spaces.

Viburnum × bodnantense ‘Dawn’

This deciduous shrub blooms from late autumn through winter (November to March) with clusters of pink flowers and a sweet, lingering scent. It’s hardy, reliable, and adds colour when little else is flowering.

• Best for: Sunny borders or mixed shrub beds
• Height: 2–3m
• Companion plants: Combine with evergreen ferns or hellebores for texture

Choose a planting spot in full sun or light dappled shade, sheltered from cold drying winds. This viburnum prefers moist, well-drained soil and benefits from being planted where its fragrant winter flowers can be appreciated up close.

Avoid waterlogged conditions, especially on heavy clay. For container planting, use a loam-based compost with added drainage material like grit. Regular feeding in spring with a general-purpose fertiliser will support strong growth and flowering.

There are many Vibernums to choose from, this flower is ‘Eve Price’.

Edgeworthia chrysantha (Paper Bush)

A close relative of daphne, Edgeworthia produces clusters of tubular yellow flowers with a rich, sweet scent in late winter, around February to April. Its deciduous and has bare stems and silvery buds which add winter sculptural interest.

• Best for: Sheltered, sunny spots with moist, well-drained soil
• Height: 1.5–2m
• Tip: Mulch well in autumn to protect roots

They can tolerate temperatures down to -5°C, but in colder areas it is best to plant them against a sunny, south facing wall. Apply a generous layer of mulch in autumn and cut away any damaged or crossing branches in early spring. Edgeworthia is a showstopper and ideal for gardeners who love something a little different.

 Designing Your Winter Scent Border

When planning your border:

• Layer heights: Use taller shrubs like witch hazel at the back, with compact varieties like sweet box at the front
• Mix evergreen and deciduous: For year-round structure and seasonal interest
• Think about scent placement: Near paths, doors, or seating areas for maximum impact
• Add underplanting: Hellebores, snowdrops, and cyclamen complement scented shrubs beautifully

Final Thoughts

A winter garden doesn’t have to be bare or bleak. With the right selection of scented shrubs, you can create a space that’s full of life, fragrance, and beauty even in the depths of January. Whether you’re planting a new border or refreshing an existing one, these shrubs offer a sensory experience that lasts beyond the growing season.

If you would like a ready-made border, the Scented design kit will show you ‘what plant goes where’ to take the faff and overwhelm out of creating a beautiful border.

Click here for more information – Scented Border Design Kit