Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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best smelling roses

If you’re searching for the best smelling roses, you’re in the right place. Fragrant roses can transform any New Zealand garden, enhancing outdoor spaces with captivating scent as well as their timeless beauty. Whether you want heavenly aromas for your flower beds, pots, or garden path, selecting the best smelling roses is essential for both visual and sensory delight. Here, you’ll find expert tips, favourite varieties, and inspiration for roses that truly deliver on fragrance.

Rose 'Desiree'

Rose 'Desiree' is a beautifully refined rose known for soft pastel blooms, gentle fragrance and repeat flowering through the warmer months in New Zealand gardens. This lovely cultivar produces full classic roses on strong stems ideal for cutting and display. With healthy growth glossy foliage and long seasonal performance, Rose 'Desiree' brings romance and timeless floral charm to borders cottage gardens and outdoor living spaces.

Buy Rose 'Desiree'

From $63.38

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Rose Plants

Height: 1.00 m

Spread: 1.00 m

Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Paths & Steps

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

Rose Diamonds Forever

Rose Diamonds Forever is a popular shrub rose that features masses fragrant, soft-yellow flowers. The showy blooms emerge in spring and continue until autumn. The foliage comprises small-sized, dark green leaves which provide a lovely backdrop to the flowers. This deciduous plant typically grows to 1 m tall and the same wide. Rose Diamonds Forever is commonly included in a mixed or border planting, included in a courtyard or cottage garden, maintained in a container, or included anywhere the beauty and fragrance can be appreciated.

Buy Rose Diamonds Forever

From $63.38

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Rose Plants

Height: 1.00 m

Spread: 1.00 m

Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn

Garden uses: Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

Why Choose Fragrant Roses?

The scent of a rose is one of the plant’s greatest treasures. Not all roses have powerful aromas, so it pays to choose varieties bred specifically for their perfume. The best smelling roses offer classic floral, citrus, spice, and even fruity scents, enriching your garden and providing joy with every stroll. Fragrant roses are also perfect for cut flowers, making your home smell delightful too.

Top Picks for Best Smelling Roses

Certain rose varieties are renowned for their exceptional perfume. Here are some beloved picks to consider for your New Zealand garden:

Rose 'Desiree': Known for its deep pink blooms and sweet, classic fragrance, Rose 'Desiree' is a top choice for anyone seeking a robust scent.
Rose Diamonds Forever: This elegant rose features creamy white blooms and a captivating scent that lingers, making it perfect for pathways or garden entrances.
Rose Best Friend: With vibrant pink petals and a strong, sweet aroma, Rose Best Friend is ideal for bouquets and borders.
Rose Blackberry Nip: Famous for its dark, velvety flowers and intense perfume. Rose Blackberry Nip enriches any garden with classic fragrance and dramatic colour.

When choosing the best smelling roses, consider how their fragrance will complement other garden plants. Pairing scent-rich roses with colourful foliage or low-growing perennials like Portulaca Pazzaz Yellow (Yellow Portulaca) can create a sensory tapestry.

Planting and Caring for Best Smelling Roses

To get the most from your fragrant roses, plant them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. A location where they get morning sun and good airflow is ideal. Regularly feed your roses with a balanced fertiliser and prune for healthy growth. Mulching keeps roots cool and reduces weeds, giving your roses the best chance to shine.

Enjoy Fragrance All Season

Many best smelling roses bloom repeatedly throughout the season, letting you enjoy their scent spring through autumn. Plant multiple varieties together to maximise the experience—each rose will contribute its own signature aroma. For garden paths, patios, or entryways, fragrant roses are unmatched in charm.

Shop Best Smelling Roses

Ready to add unforgettable fragrance to your garden? Explore our range of best smelling roses and other scented favourites. With expert advice and robust plants, your garden will be full of beauty and aroma all year round.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.