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Publication Date: Friday, April 01, 2005 Smell the roses
Smell the roses
(April 01, 2005) Fragrant flowers make a nice addition to any garden
by Rebecca Guyon
Many gardeners base their flower choices solely on appearance, completely overlooking everything a flower has to offer. Not only do flowers have beautiful colors and textures, they also produce sweet scents - remember, the phrase is "stop and smell the roses."
Yet few people think to plant their gardens based on fragrance. Well, flowers have had enough of being chosen for their petals alone. There is a huge variety of flowers and plants blooming that have lovely aromas and would make a nice addition to spring and summer gardens. The following are some of the most fragrant flowers suitable for Pleasanton, according to the folks at Western Garden Nursery.
¥ Scented Geraniums
The beauty of the Scented Geranium does not come from its flower, but from the scent of its foliage. There are 230 types of Scented Geraniums with scents ranging from ginger to citrus to Old Spice. Their leaves also come in a large variety of shapes, sizes and colors and can be used as garnishes. Other cooking uses for the leaves include soaking them in milk to extract the flavor of their scent for use in custards, jellies and sauces.
Scented Geraniums are tender plants that cannot handle weather below 40 degrees, making Pleasanton an ideal location. They are also well suited for growth in pots because they grow better when their roots are crowded. Direct sunlight, warm climates and good drainage are the conditions needed for Scented Geraniums to thrive. The leaves of the plant have to be bruised for the aroma to be released, which is why Geranium enthusiasts suggest planting this shrub along paths, giving ample opportunities for the leaves to be brushed and the fragrance released.
¥ Lavender
Provence's Lavender fields have nothing on Pleasanton. Pleasanton's climate is perfect for growing this shrub that is known for its strong scented, purple flowers. And while Provence may harvest its Lavender for oils, Pleasanton gardeners can enjoy the flower in their gardens as it blooms March through fall. Lavender is a great addition to any garden not only for its scent and beauty, but also because it can be used as an herb in the kitchen.
Lavender plants love the heat and are drought resistant once established. To plant Lavenders, dig a generous hole and place them in loose, well draining soil. Prior to placing the plant in its hole, gently spread its roots out and make sure to space plants far enough apart so they get good air circulation. Water deeply but infrequently, when the soil feels and appears dry. Lavenders need to be pruned in the spring and fall, but only after their second year's growth.
¥ Jasmine
Given the many different perfumes and candles scented Jasmine, it is no surprise that the Jasmine flower is perfect for adding sweet scents to any garden. There are many types of Jasmines, but the Pink Jasmine and the Star Jasmine are the best for Pleasanton climates. As suggested by the name, the main physical difference between the Star and Pink Jasmines is the pink tinge to the Pink Jasmines' flowers. However, they also are on a different blooming cycle, with Pink Jasmines blooming between March and April, and Star Jasmines blooming between May and July. Gardeners who are planting Jasmines for fragrance should plant both varieties to take advantage of their blooming cycles.
Since Jasmines are vines, they need to be trained to a trellis, wall or pergola, or be staked in the ground because they will crawl as they grow. They are hardy plants that can be planted outdoors in regular soil and direct sunlight. Remember to prune them after their first bloom to promote growth the next year.
¥ Bearded Iris
Bearded Iris is not the name of a circus sideshow act, but rather an exceptionally fragrant flower that begins blooming in late spring. The flowers are comprised of six petals, three upright known as the Standards and three hanging known as the Falls. The Bearded Iris gets its name from the fuzzy line that runs down the center of each of the Falls. The flowers come in a variety of colors, running the gamut from deep purple to yellow, and are also known for their velvet texture.
These flowers are good for "weekend gardeners" as they require little maintenance. When planting, dig a large hole leaving a mound of well broken up soil in the center. Place the plant in the hole with the roots fanned out around the sides of the mound. Keep the plant in an area that receives a lot of sunlight, and water it about every week. After the first blooming cycle, cut off the dead blossoms and blooming stalks, but leave the leaves until they turn brown in the fall. The leaves are needed to produce next year's blossoms.
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