8 Backyard Plants That Smell Better At Night

Tip #2: Night-Blooming Jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum)

If you want a fragrance so powerful that it perfumes your entire property, night-blooming jasmine stands unparalleled among fragrant plants. Despite its common name, this tropical shrub actually belongs to the potato family rather than the true jasmine genus.

It produces clusters of unassuming, pale greenish-white tubular flowers that remain tightly closed during daylight hours. However, as twilight approaches, these tiny blossoms open to emit a profoundly sweet, intoxicating perfume that can easily drift twenty feet or more on a gentle evening breeze. The scent is often described as a complex blend of honey, vanilla, and tropical fruit.

Cultivating night-blooming jasmine requires warm temperatures and plenty of moisture. If you live in USDA Zones 9 through 11, you can plant this shrub directly in your backyard, where it quickly reaches heights of eight to ten feet.

For gardeners in cooler climates, you must grow this tropical beauty in a large, five-gallon container and bring it indoors before the first frost hits. Give your plant partial to full sun during the day and feed it with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the active growing season.

Regular pruning immediately after a flowering cycle prevents the shrub from becoming leggy and encourages a dense, bushy growth habit. Keep in mind that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, so position it carefully if you have curious pets exploring your garden.